Project description
Calculating the trophic discrimination factor between predator and prey
The amino acid (glutamate and phenylalanine) δ15N trophic discrimination factor (TDF) is a quantitative parameter used in reconstructions of past animal or human trophic positions. The EU-funded IsoTroph project will improve the geochemical method used in palaeontology of terrestrial mammals. Its main research method is the analysis of δ15N in bone collagen of a population of a predator and that of its prey, and the subsequent calculation of the TDF between these populations. It will study modern populations (recent bones of wolf, lynx, red fox and their prey, from Białowieża Forest and fox dens), as well as fossils from a Pleistocene carnivore den (cave hyena and its prey). The results will shed light on the direct collagen-to-collagen TDF.
Objective
The principal objective of the IsoTroph project is to improve the geochemical method used in paleontology of terrestrial mammals, through the application of stable isotopes of single amino acids in paleoecology. In particular, the project focuses on a single amino acid (glutamate and phenylalanine) δ15N trophic discrimination factor (TDF). It is a quantitative parameter used in reconstructions of past animal or human trophic positions (a primary consumer – a herbivore; a secondary consumer – a carnivore feeding on herbivores; etc.), crucial for understanding the evolution of environments. The TDF has never been established before for terrestrial mammals, although it is a key parameter in modelling the past ecology.
The main research method of IsoTroph is the analysis of δ15N in bone collagen of a population of a predator and that of its prey, and then calculating the TDF between these populations. To achieve this, the project will involve a study of modern populations (collections of recent bones of wolf, lynx, red fox, and their prey, from Białowieża Forest and fox den), as well as a collection of fossils from a Pleistocene carnivore den (cave hyena and its prey). These collections will provide insight into four species of mammalian carnivores, representing variable ecology (both hypercarnivores and omnivores), and different chronology (recent and Pleistocene).
The project offers a great chance for professional training in a new method with a vast potential to be used in paleoecology – the stable isotope composition of single amino acids. This training is to be performed through research, which will bring the high quality results of the greatest interest for a wide audience of scientists currently involved in paleoecological studies of animals and humans. The project will deliver answers on the direct collagen-to-collagen TDF, which was never determined before, and which will be broadly applied in future isotopic studies in ecology and paleoecology.
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 ecology
- social sciences sociology social issues social inequalities
- natural sciences earth and related environmental sciences palaeontology paleoecology
- natural sciences biological sciences zoology mammalogy
- natural sciences earth and related environmental sciences geochemistry biogeochemistry
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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)
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Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
MAIN PROGRAMME
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H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility
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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.
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.
MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)
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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.
(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-IF-2020
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
72074 Tuebingen
Germany
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.