Project description
Understanding sperm conjugates evolution and sperm behaviour
Sperm conjugates, where sperm cells attach and move together, may influence fertilisation, but are not well understood. It is hypothesised that they evolved to combat sperm competition among males. Insects, particularly bushcrickets, are ideal for studying this phenomenon due to their large sperm conjugates and documented instances of sperm competition. With the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the SPECO project aims to investigate the relationship between polyandry and sperm traits using controlled mating trials and phylogenetic studies. It will explore how polyandry levels correlate with spermatodesm characteristics across species and develop a theoretical model to understand the selection pressures behind the evolution of conjugated sperm. The findings promise to enhance our understanding of collaborative sperm behaviour.
Objective
Sperm conjugates, where multiple sperm cells attach to each other and move as a group, have been described in a wide range of taxa and could have significant impacts on the fertilization process, but understanding of their function is limited. Effective sperm cooperation through these conjugates could have evolved as an adaptation to sperm competition between multiple males, but this hypothesis has not been tested in insects, which have some of the largest reported sperm conjugates in animals. Bushcrickets have been well studied regarding species-specific variation in the level of polyandry and sperm competition. Large sperm conjugates (‘spermatodesms’) are also a common feature of this taxon, making it an ideal system to test the link between sperm conjugates and sperm competition. I will investigate this connection using within-species approaches, with controlled mating trials and sperm staining, as well as phylogenetic controlled studies, testing the link between the level of polyandry and spermatodesm traits between species. Finally, guided by the insight from these results I will construct a theoretical model to gain understanding into selection pressures that may have led to the evolution of conjugated sperm. The results will significantly improve our understanding of the evolutionary importance of collaborative behaviour of sperm, which has been largely unstudied until now. My supervisor, Dr Jussi Lehtonen, is an internationally renowned researcher who is experienced in developing mathematical models on sexual selection and sperm competition. The project includes a secondment hosted by Prof. Leigh W. Simmons, a leading expert in insect sperm biology. I, the candidate, am an expert on behavioural ecology, experienced in conducting mating trials in bushcrickets and phylogenetic analysis on insects. The project will strengthen my scientific skills and the future career prospects, as well as expand and complement the research of the host institution.
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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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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
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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.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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Call for proposal
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(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01
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40100 Jyvaskyla
Finland
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