Objective
Research objectives and content
It was shown that social insects recognise nestmates using non-volatile cuticular substances. Generally, when two ant species cohabit in the same nest their cuticular profiles becomes similar. Parasitic ants are able to override the chemical barrier of nestmate recognition of hosts, acquiring their cuticular pattern by mimicry or camouflage. The aim of this project is to analyse the evolution of recognition mechanisms employing two different species of slave-making ants (obligatory and facultative). By means of gas-chromatography, mass spectrometry and behavioural studies we will investigate: 1) the behavioural and chemical strategy of the newly mated parasitic queens (which are unable to found a new colony independently), 2) the chemical mechanisms (camouflage or mimicry) achieving the parasite a successful integration into the host nest, 3) the ontogeny of nestmates labels of callows and the role of the postpharyngeal gland in he formation of 'colony odour' (parasitic and free living colonies).
Training content (objective, benefit and expected impact)
Deep knowledge of the most advanced techniques of chemical and behavioural analysis for the study of insects, not used in Italy up to now. Improvement of chances in finding a research-teaching position. Links with industry / industrial relevance (22)
The study of recognition mechanisms is indispensable for agriculture management, as many social insects are pest in many European Countries.
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.
- social sciences psychology behavioural psychology
- agricultural sciences agriculture, forestry, and fisheries agriculture
- natural sciences biological sciences zoology entomology
- natural sciences chemical sciences analytical chemistry mass spectrometry
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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)
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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
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Funding Scheme
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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
37200 Tours
France
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.