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Details of Award

NERC Reference : NER/A/S/2003/00600

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Does self-fertilizing capacity promote economy in male function in hermaphroditic modular organisms?

Grant Award

Principal Investigator:
Professor RNH Hughes, University of Hull, Biological Sciences
Co-Investigator:
Professor G Carvalho, Bangor University, Sch of Natural Sciences
Grant held at:
University of Hull, Biological Sciences
Science Area:
Marine
Overall Classification:
Marine
Science Classification details
ENRIs:
Biodiversity
Science Topics:
Population Genetics/Evolution
Population Ecology
Conservation Ecology
Abstract:
Many flowering plants produce less pollen, so economizing resource usage, when they self-pollinate rather than cross-pollinate. Marine colonial invertebrates resemble plants in being fixed to the substratum and often being able to self- as well as cross-fertilize. The proposed research will use the colonial invertebrate Celleporella hyalina as a model species to test the prediction that, analogous to plants, hermaphroditic animals should produce less sperm when fertilizing themselves than when outbreeding. Harmful effects of inbreeding will be assessed in relation to the frequency of self fertilization. Colonies of C. hyalina, collected from localities on both sides of the Atlantic to ensure genetic diversity, will be cloned by taking cuttings and used in experimental breeding programmes at the University of Wales, Bangor. In collaboration with co-investigators at the University of Hull, DNA fingerprinting of progeny will be used to distinguish cases of self fertilization from cross fertilization. Results of this investigation, budgeted at #187,977, will help understanding of genetic components of marine biodiversity in relation to reduced opportunities for outbreeding caused for example by habitat degredation and fragmentation. The programme therefore accords with the priority area 'Earth's life-support systems - water, biogeochemical cycles and biodiversity' within the NERC five-year plan.
Period of Award:
1 Jun 2004 - 31 Jul 2007
Value:
£3,269 Split Award
(FY details)
Authorised funds only
NERC Reference:
NER/A/S/2003/00600
Grant Stage:
Completed
Scheme:
Standard Grants Pre FEC
Grant Status:
Closed
Programme:
Standard Grant

This grant award has a total value of £3,269  

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FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)

Total - T&STotal - Other Costs
£658£2,610

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