| NSF Org: |
IOS Division Of Integrative Organismal Systems |
| Recipient: |
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| Initial Amendment Date: | May 29, 2009 |
| Latest Amendment Date: | June 6, 2012 |
| Award Number: | 0910217 |
| Award Instrument: | Standard Grant |
| Program Manager: |
Michelle Elekonich
melekoni@nsf.gov (703)292-7202 IOS Division Of Integrative Organismal Systems BIO Direct For Biological Sciences |
| Start Date: | June 1, 2009 |
| End Date: | December 31, 2012 (Estimated) |
| Total Intended Award Amount: | $12,149.00 |
| Total Awarded Amount to Date: | $12,149.00 |
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| Recipient Sponsored Research Office: |
1 UNIVERSITY BLVD SAINT LOUIS MO US 63121-4400 (314)516-5897 |
| Sponsor Congressional District: |
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| Primary Place of Performance: |
1 UNIVERSITY BLVD SAINT LOUIS MO US 63121-4400 |
| Primary Place of Performance Congressional District: |
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| Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): |
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| NSF Program(s): | Animal Behavior |
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| Program Element Code(s): |
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| Award Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Fund Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Assistance Listing Number(s): | 47.074 |
ABSTRACT
Photoperiod, defined as the cyclical change of sunlight, is one of the most reliable external signals that individuals can perceive to predict environmental changes. Bumble bees maintain a tight association of their life cycle (e.g., colony growth and development; behavior) with seasonal changes in light. The main hypothesis of this project is that photoperiod is a cue that a bumble bee colony uses to shift through consecutive steps during its life cycle. This hypothesis will be evaluated from three different perspectives using the North American native bumble bee Bombus impatiens. First, this study will determine the effects of photoperiod on colony development through manipulations of the Light/Dark cycle. Second, the effect of photoperiod on individual behavior will be quantified using video recording analysis. Third, the study will characterize differences in the molecular components of the circadian clock using gene expression and clock protein localization in the bumble bee brain. It is expected that treatments with increasing day length will produce larger colonies and a synchronized production of new males and queens. At the molecular level is it predicted that changes in photoperiod will correlate with changes in clock gene expression profiles and will affect the localization of clock proteins in the brain. This project will integrate behavioral research and molecular analysis to yield a basic but complete overview of the effects of photoperiod on the social organization and life cycle of B. impatiens. Bumblebees are important pollinators of crops and other plants. In recent decades there has been a worldwide reduction in the populations of bumble bees, and of pollinators in general. Few studies have addressed how photoperiod can affect pollinators and their movements into new environments due to climate change. The investigator is actively involved in outreach activities and this project will involve training of a graduate student, mentorship of undergraduates and public seminars.
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