Objective
Research objectives and content
Leafcutter ants are major agricultural pests in (sub)tropical America. During millions of years of evolution these ants have become dependent on the cultivation of a clonally propagated fungus, which they farm in underground nest-chambers. Several natural adaptations may explain the evolutionary success of leafcutter ants, i.e. the way in which their colonies and crops are able to resist pathogens and other stress factors: 1. Production of antibiotic glandular secretions in variable qualities and quantities. 2. Active manipulation of genetic diversity of workers and fungus gardens within nests by multiple mating and/or joint nest-founding of queens. 3. Local co-adaptation between lineages of ants and symbiotic fungus, ensuring maximal productivity and resistance to parasites.
An explicit study of these factors and their interactions is the objective of this proposal.
Training content (objective, benefit and expected impact)
Objectives:
1. Specialise in evolutionary ecology and population genetics; 2. Become a qualified entomologist specialized in pest-ants; 3. Learn specific DNA and histology techniques
Benefits:
1. Stimulating and international academic atmosphere in the Aarhus Department 2. Exchanges and interactions through the EU-TMR network on Social Evolution.
Impact:
1. Research of high standard, to be published in good international journals 2. Improved chances on the international job market. Links with industry / industrial relevance (22)
None at present
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.
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.
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics DNA
- natural sciences biological sciences microbiology mycology
- natural sciences biological sciences ecology evolutionary ecology
- social sciences economics and business business and management employment
- natural sciences biological sciences histology
You need to log in or register to use this function
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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.
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.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Data not available
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
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.
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.
Coordinator
8240 Risskov
Denmark
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.