Project description
Animal–microbial symbiosis evolution in Panama Isthmus
The findings of recent studies show that host-adaptive responses to environmental change rely on the role played by host-associated microbes. Exploring the past and using geological events that were evolution drivers, it’s possible to obtain significant knowledge of the adaptive mechanisms. The formation of the Panama Isthmus has divided species between the new oceans and led them to adaptive processes. As a result, many genetically very similar species living in highly divergent environments exist. The EU-funded PANSYMBIOSIS project will explore drivers and processes of speciation, diversification and adaptation. The project will study the evolution of an animal–microbial symbiosis divided by the Isthmus into several twin species pairs comparing lucinid clam populations and their endosymbiotic bacterial chemosymbionts.
Objective
Recently it has become clear that host-associated microbes play a major role in host adaptive responses to environmental change. To predict future responses, we can explore the past and use geological events, which provide valuable insights into adaptive mechanisms because these events were major drivers of evolution. The formation of the Isthmus of Panamá separated a previous, ancient ocean and all of its marine life into the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. These two oceans have developed into very different habitats. Closely related animal populations that were separated by the Isthmus had to adapt to diverging environmental conditions. Today we find closely related species pairs, i.e. geminate species, that are genetically very similar but live in highly divergent habitats. This provides a powerful study system to explore drivers and processes of speciation, diversification, and adaptation. In this project, I am integrating this knowledge to study the evolution of an animal-microbial symbiosis that was divided into several geminate species pairs by the Isthmus of Panamá. I am going to compare lucinid clam populations (Lucinidae) and their endosymbiotic bacterial chemosymbionts (Candidatus Thiodiazotropha) at the genomic and transcriptomic level. Lucinid clams are an excellent model system in this context because their shells are preserved as fossils and we know that they have existed before the Isthmus closed. Hence, I can calibrate the rates of molecular evolution with the closure of the Isthmus. By studying several populations of hosts and bacterial symbionts, I will be able to use population genetic theory to inform how this symbiosis evolves in response to changing environmental conditions.
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 biological behavioural sciences ethology biological interactions
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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.
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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.
80539 MUNCHEN
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.