Details of Award
NERC Reference : NE/B503292/1
Causes and consequences of geographic variation in a host-Wolbachia interaction.
Grant Award
- Principal Investigator:
- Dr D Greig, University College London, Genetics Evolution and Environment
- Co-Investigator:
- Professor G Hurst, University of Liverpool, Evolution, Ecology and Behaviour
- Co-Investigator:
- Professor N Wedell, University of Exeter, Biosciences
- Grant held at:
- University College London, Genetics Evolution and Environment
- Science Area:
- Terrestrial
- Overall Classification:
- Terrestrial
- ENRIs:
- Natural Resource Management
- Biodiversity
- Science Topics:
- Environmental Microbiology
- Population Genetics/Evolution
- Population Ecology
- Behavioural Ecology
- Abstract:
- Inherited bacteria are commonly found in insects, being passed from a female to her offspring inside eggs. These bacteria show a variety of interactions with their host: some cause distortion of the host sex ratio, whereas others are more benign. In addition, the sex ratio distortion they produce has been suggested as driving the ecology and evolution of their host species. However, the reasons why these bacteria are sometimes benign rather than parasitic is unknown. Further, the extent to which insect reproduction is affected by these bacteria is unknown. We will investigate these questions in the butterfly, Hypolimnas bolina. In this species, the bacterium Wolbachia kills male hosts in some populations but not in others. In addition, the frequency of the bacterium varies over space. Sometimes it is present in nearly all individuals (causing the population to become very female biased) and sometimes it is absent. This project seeks to i) Identify why the interaction varies over space, testing whether variation is caused by differences in hosts, in bacteria or in the environment. ii) Assess the degree to which variation in the frequency of male-killing affects host reproduction. The project will involve partners in French Polynesia and Malay Borneo, and has a total cost of #215K. Half of this cost is staff pay, 25% is support for the University infrastructure to support the project, 10% is travel, 10% chemical consumables, 5% equipment. This will inform us generally about the importance of these parasites for driving host ecology and evolution, and in addition give us understanding of why interactions between bacteria and their host vary. It will also allow us to assess their potential use in control of insect population size and their utility in modifying vector competence.
- NERC Reference:
- NE/B503292/1
- Grant Stage:
- Completed
- Scheme:
- Standard Grants Pre FEC
- Grant Status:
- Closed
- Programme:
- Standard Grant
This grant award has a total value of £223,907
FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)
| Total - Staff | Total - T&S | Total - Other Costs | Total - Indirect Costs | Total - Equipment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £124,665 | £20,042 | £16,333 | £57,347 | £5,522 |
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