Details of Award
NERC Reference : NER/B/S/2003/00281
Island populations as a resource for sensory innovation - bumblebee colour vision as a model.
Grant Award
- Principal Investigator:
- Professor L Chittka, Queen Mary University of London, Sch of Biological and Chemical Sciences
- Co-Investigator:
- Dr P Skorupski, Queen Mary University of London, Sch of Biological and Chemical Sciences
- Science Area:
- Terrestrial
- Overall Classification:
- Terrestrial
- ENRIs:
- Biodiversity
- Science Topics:
- Population Genetics/Evolution
- Behavioural Ecology
- Abstract:
- Why do different animals see the world in different colours? A well established claim is that colour vision has been tuned to the particular visuo-ecological conditions under which each animal species operates. But there are many cases in which such tuning appears imperfect. We point out that the goodness-of-fit between colour vision and the environment might depend on population size and stability. There is preliminary evidence that some island populations of bumblebees, Bombus terrestris, have red receptors, unlike any other species of social bee. In this pilot study, we wish to perform intracellular recordings from the colour receptors of these bees, to substantiate the evidence that chance processes might contribute to the evolution of colour vision. This population biological approach will provide a wholly new angle to the question of why animals see the world how they do.
- NERC Reference:
- NER/B/S/2003/00281
- Grant Stage:
- Completed
- Scheme:
- Small Grants Pre FEC
- Grant Status:
- Closed
- Programme:
- Small Grants
This grant award has a total value of £29,901
FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)
| Total - T&S | Total - Other Costs | Total - Equipment |
|---|---|---|
| £1,705 | £2,674 | £25,521 |
If you need further help, please read the user guide.