Objective
We propose to explore the patterns of geographic variation of the interaction between Helleborus foetidus elaiosome-bearing seeds and its ant dispersers. Our study focus on the matching between structural and functional characteristics of the ant communities and seed traits (morphological and chemical characteristics of the elaisomes) at a large scale. We consider a multivariate approach, integrating chemical, behavioral and ecological techniques, to elucidate patterns of within and between-population interaction outcomes within the evolutionary framework of the Thompson's geographic mosaic theory of coevolution. The two major objectives of the project are:
1 ) to analyze between-population variation in the magnitude and pattern of seed dispersal by ants;
2) to assess how the differences in ant community composition as well as seed traits may explain within- and between-population differences in the myrmecochory. Three specific questions are addressed:
1 ) Is there any significant geographical variation in the size, shape and chemical composition of H. foetidus elaiosomes?
2) Do abundance and species composition of local ant communities vary among H.foetidus populations? If they do, and on the basis of experimental evidence on the response of different ant species to H.foetidus diasporas, is this variation in ant communities related to differential dispersal for H foetidus diasporas?
3) Could geographical variation in diasporas traits be interpreted as reflecting the variation in the dispersal-related characteristics of the local ant communities?
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.
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Programme(s)
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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.
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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
41071 SEVILLA
Spain
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.