Objective
Swarming locusts are crop pests of major importance, displaying unusual outbreaks with an irregular cycle and swarming individuals typical of a high-density distinctive form, the phase gregaria. Here we propose to complete the first ever large-scale population genetic analysis of a swarming locust, the Australian plague locust, Chortoicetes terminifera.
This species is the most devastating locust in Australia due to the frequency and severity of its outbreaks, as well as its widespread distribution across the continent. Genetic spatial structuring analyses will be combined with the evaluation:
(i) of the expression of the behavioural phase polyphenism, in which locusts respond to increased local population density by shifting from the solitaria condition, in which they do not aggregate or migrate, to the migratory, swarm-forming phase gregaria, and
(ii) of the local resource distribution patterns known to influence the migratory behaviour.
This study will considerably enhance our understanding of locust migration in an ecological and behavioural context. Knowledge from this project will be used to enhance preventative locust management in Australia by focusing monitoring and control efforts on critical swarm-forming populations and localities. This project will serve as a model for the application of population genetics to the management of swarming locusts around the world.
The proposal is founded on the fields of population genetics, resource ecology, and behaviour, providing the applicant a first rate training in a wide variety of disciplines. Collaborators with varied research skills in academic (University of Sydney and Centre for Biology and Population Management) and applied (Australian Plague Locust Commission) research are involved, strengthening the research initiative and promising a greater unity in tackling an important problem.
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
- agricultural sciences agriculture, forestry, and fisheries agriculture
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
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.
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.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
FP6-2005-MOBILITY-6
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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.
OIF - Marie Curie actions-Outgoing International Fellowships
Coordinator
PARIS
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.