Skip to main content
Go to the home page of the European Commission (opens in new window)
English English
CORDIS - EU research results
CORDIS

New insights into the genetic mechanisms underlying behavioural variation in wild marine fish

Project description

Genetic mechanisms of fish behavioural variation

The role marine ecosystems play in human life is instrumental. Healthy ecosystems result in major benefits for human populations. Traditionally, the management of marine ecosystem preservation has taken into consideration only the morphological characteristics of fish. However, fish behaviour is important in biodiversity conservation due to the role of pivotal behavioural characteristics in reproductive success. The EU-funded WildFishGenes project intends to study the basic genetic mechanisms underlying fish behavioural types. It will combine a pioneering behavioural data set based on fish tracking data collected in situ for hundreds of wild fish at groundbreaking spatio-temporal resolution, with advanced genomic techniques. The project will give rise to new fields of research in behavioural molecular ecology, thus enhancing fisheries management and behavioural biology research.

Objective

Humans depend on great measure on the welfare of marine ecosystems, not only from the retribution obtained directly from resource harvesting but also from the benefits derived from healthy ecosystems (i.e. quality of natural resources, biodiversity maintenance, and ecosystem resilience to anthropogenic challenges). Traditionally, management efforts to preserve marine resources only contemplated morphological traits of the individuals (e.g. body size). However, more evidence is piling up on the importance of behaviour on biodiversity conservation. Traits such as exploration, boldness, and activity have a strong impact on the individual`s reproductive success, thus determining species survival. As other phenotypical traits, fish behaviour is determined in great measure by its genetic basis. In this project, we propose studying the genetic mechanisms underlying fish behavioural types. We will use a unique dataset based on state-of-the-art fish-tracking data that provides long-term behavioural data in situ for hundreds of free-living fish at unprecedented spatio-temporal resolution. We will complement the behavioural data set with advanced genetic and genomic techniques to find phenotype-genotype associations by: i) studying the sequence variants of candidate genes, ii) studying the location and abundance of target proteins in fish brain structures, iii) obtaining multiple brain transcriptomes from individuals showing distinct behavioural types. The multidisciplinary nature of the project, combining novel behavioural data collection with next generation genomic techniques, will provide a broad overview of the molecular basis of behavioural characterization. The proposed activities will open a new line of research in behavioural molecular ecology unprecedented in marine ecosystems. Our results will provide insight into the molecular basis of behaviour in marine fish, thus leading to a qualitative jump forward in fisheries management and behavioural biology.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.

You need to log in or register to use this function

Keywords

Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)

Programme(s)

Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.

Topic(s)

Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.

Funding Scheme

Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.

MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)

See all projects funded under this funding scheme

Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2019

See all projects funded under this call

Coordinator

AGENCIA ESTATAL CONSEJO SUPERIOR DE INVESTIGACIONES CIENTIFICAS
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 160 932,48
Address
CALLE SERRANO 117
28006 MADRID
Spain

See on map

Region
Comunidad de Madrid Comunidad de Madrid Madrid
Activity type
Research Organisations
Links
Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

€ 160 932,48
My booklet 0 0