Project

Study of the role of selection history on the association between developmental instability and stress and fitness: habitat islands as model system

Code
3G014909
Duration
01 January 2009 → 31 December 2014
Funding
Research Foundation - Flanders (FWO)
Promotor
Research disciplines
  • Natural sciences
    • Animal biology
  • Agricultural and food sciences
    • Veterinary medicine
Keywords
developmental instability fluctuating asymmetry directional selection
 
Project description

The aim of this project is to study to what extent the selection history of a trait affects relationships between the level of fluctuating asymmetry in tarsus length and environmental stress in a suite of Afrotropical bird species. More particular, the question is addressed whether directional selection may cause developmental instability due to the loss of canalizing modifiers.