Objective
Research objectives and content
The water spider, the only entirely aquatic spider, receives legal protection throughout much of its range. Although locally abundant, it is often absent from apparently suitable freshwater habitats.
Ecophysiological limitations on dispersal and colonization between patchy habitats suggest that populations may experience limited genetic exchange: consequently, environmental destruction and increasing habitat isolation potentially threaten this species. Using Danish populations, this project aims to examine the degree of genetic isolation, and the mechanisms of, and limitations on, dispersal. The population genetic structure and levels of gene flow between ponds at varying distances from each other will be assessed using allozymes and mtDNA sequencing. Environmental and ecophysiological factors limiting distribution will be evaluated by ecological and limnological characterization of ponds with and without spiders, studying the effects on behaviour and physiology of varying hydrological conditions, and by translocation experiments to establish whether dispersal could be limiting exploitation of empty niches. The mechanisms of, and physiological constraints on, dispersal will be examined by trapping, and measuring the tendency to balloon, rates of water-loss, and cuticular differences between different instars in the laboratory.
Training content (objective, benefit and expected impact)
The training gained in ecology, genetics, physiology, and arachnology will provide a strong foundation for future work at the interface of these important areas in terms of biodiversity and conservation. The water spider provides a model system. The results will be relevant to management decisions across Europe affecting this species, and others, with limited dispersal in a changing and increasingly fragmented environment. Links with industry / industrial relevance (22)
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
- natural sciences biological sciences ecology
- natural sciences biological sciences freshwater biology
- medical and health sciences basic medicine physiology
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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)
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.
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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
8000 Århus C
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.