Ant foraging at termal limits: a comparative study in the Mediterranean basin
Hormigas forrajeando en su límite térmico: un estudio comparado en la cuenca del mediterráneo
Principal investigator
Xim Cerdá
Financial institution
MIN ECONOMÍA Y COMPETITIVIDAD
Fecha de inicio
Fecha de fin
Code
CGL2015-65807-P
Department
Conservation Biology and Global Change
Brief description
Los desiertos están entre los ambientes más extremos de la Tierra. Además, albergan una fauna y flora que presenta unas adaptaciones excepcionales para tolerar el calor extremo y la aridez. Cataglyphis es un género de hormigas que ha evolucionado en las regiones áridas paleárticas, donde estas especies son capaces de hacer frente a temperaturas del suelo de hasta 70%;. Asimismo, constituyen un remarcable ejemplo de evoluci01 convergente dirigida por condiciones ambientales similares El objetivo de este proyecto es profundizar en el conocimiento de las adaptaciones que permiten a estos animales termófilos hacer frente a las áriddas condiciones de los desiertos. Para ello, en un gradiente de temperatura en la cuenca mediterr01ea (Espa03., Marruecos, Grecia e Israel), proponemos analizar: (1) las adaptaciones fisiológicas individuales y específicas a la resistencia al calor y a la desecación (hidrocarburos cuticulares, respuesta de fenoloxidasa); (2) la adaptación molecular en respuesta a las altas temperaturas (expresión génica de las heat-shock proteins; y (3) el beneficio ecológico de la termofilia en el marco de las comunidades locales de hormigas (relación con la dominancia, temperaturas óptimas de forrajeo, nicho térmico, diversidad funcional). Este proyecto reúne a 4 investigadores permanentes de cuatro países diferentes con habilidades y experiencia complementarias y que llevan muchos años trabajando juntos. El valor añadido de esta colaboración internacional viene de la sinergia en el desarrollo de las tareas. Además de los objetivos científicos, la meta final del proyecto es liderar la construcción de una red científica internaciona sobre las adaptaciones a los ambientes áridos
Hot deserts are amongst the harshest environments on Earth Vet, they shelter a fragile fauna and flora that presents exceptional adaptations to tolerate extreme heat and dryness. Cataglyphis is an ant genera that have evolved in Palearctic deserts, where these ant species are able to cope with ground temperature as high as 70%. Therefore, they constitute a remarkable example of convergent evolution driven by similar environmental conditions. Our objective is to develop a comprehensive understanding of adaptations allowing these thermophilous animals to cope with hot desert conditions. This will be achieved by studying in a temperature gradient in the Mediterranean basin (Spain, Morocco, Greece and Israel): (1) the individual physiological adaptations to dryness and heat (cuticular hydrocarbons, phenoloxydase activity); (2) the molecular adaptation to high temperatures (gene expression of the heat-shock proteins); and (3) the ecological benefit of thermophily within a local community framework (dominance, optimal foraging temperatures, thermal niche, functional diversity). This project brings together 4 Established Researchers from four different countries with complementary skills and expertise and that are working together lor a long time. The added value 01 our collaboration comes from the synergy in task realization, the creation of common procedures and the production of mutualised datasets. Our ultimate goal is to build up an international scientific network that encompasses research on adaptation to arid environments.
Hot deserts are amongst the harshest environments on Earth Vet, they shelter a fragile fauna and flora that presents exceptional adaptations to tolerate extreme heat and dryness. Cataglyphis is an ant genera that have evolved in Palearctic deserts, where these ant species are able to cope with ground temperature as high as 70%. Therefore, they constitute a remarkable example of convergent evolution driven by similar environmental conditions. Our objective is to develop a comprehensive understanding of adaptations allowing these thermophilous animals to cope with hot desert conditions. This will be achieved by studying in a temperature gradient in the Mediterranean basin (Spain, Morocco, Greece and Israel): (1) the individual physiological adaptations to dryness and heat (cuticular hydrocarbons, phenoloxydase activity); (2) the molecular adaptation to high temperatures (gene expression of the heat-shock proteins); and (3) the ecological benefit of thermophily within a local community framework (dominance, optimal foraging temperatures, thermal niche, functional diversity). This project brings together 4 Established Researchers from four different countries with complementary skills and expertise and that are working together lor a long time. The added value 01 our collaboration comes from the synergy in task realization, the creation of common procedures and the production of mutualised datasets. Our ultimate goal is to build up an international scientific network that encompasses research on adaptation to arid environments.