EVOMORPHASIS

"Evolutionary morphology of accessory auditory structures in piranhas, pacus, and related serrasalmid fishes: is acute hearing an adaptation for prey location?"

Coordinatore	MUSEUM NATIONAL D'HISTOIRE NATURELLE    more  Organization address address: RUE CUVIER 57 city: PARIS postcode: 75005 contact info Titolo: Mrs. Nome: Vanessa Cognome: Demanoff Email: send email Telefono: +33 140793275
Nazionalità Coordinatore	France [FR]
Totale costo	269˙743 €
EC contributo	269˙743 €
Programma	FP7-PEOPLE Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013)
Code Call	FP7-PEOPLE-2013-IEF
Funding Scheme	MC-IEF
Anno di inizio	2014
Periodo (anno-mese-giorno)	2014-06-01   -   2016-05-31

 Partecipanti

#	participant	country	role	EC contrib. [€]
1	MUSEUM NATIONAL D'HISTOIRE NATURELLE  Organization address address: RUE CUVIER 57 city: PARIS postcode: 75005 contact info Titolo: Mrs. Nome: Vanessa Cognome: Demanoff Email: send email Telefono: +33 140793275	FR (PARIS)	coordinator	269˙743.80

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'The evolutionary success of otophysans, a major lineage of fish diversity, is often attributed to a novel morphology involving unique bones, anterior vertebrae, and the swim bladder. This feature, termed the Weberian apparatus (WA), is an accessory hearing organ that transduces sound from the swim bladder to the inner ear. As a result, otophysans have sensitive hearing, however, the adaptive function for such ability is unknown. Further, the effect of WA morphological variation between species is not clear. It is hypothesized that acute hearing facilitates prey detection. This research will test this hypothesis by examining WA morphology and function in Serrasalmidae, an ecologically diverse otophysan family with 15 genera and ~60 species that include piranhas and pacus. Among serrasalmids are species that eat small fishes, scales off other fishes, small invertebrates, and falling fruits. The objectives of this research are to examine WA morphology in serrasalmids, to determine if morphology is related to hearing ability, and to test if prey can be localized by acoustic cues. This research will utilize the Muséum National de Histoire Nationelle specimen collection along with computerized tomography (CT), 3D imaging, and comparative analysis. Electrophysiology will be used to test hearing and behavioral experiments will examine piranha and pacu responses to prey sounds. This project will involve training in CT and 3D visualization, histological and microscopy methods, phylogenetic comparative analysis, and biomechanical modeling. The fellowship is expected to help the candidate realize an academic career. The candidate will learn cutting edge methods, develop skills for managing data, and gain experience with scientific presentations, writing and publishing. The unique opportunity to work with an internationally renowned research community and a highly respected functional morphology expert will allow the applicant to focus on a new, related research area.'