ClaireDoutrelant

Tenure CNRS research scientist (DR)

CEFE CNRS 1919 Rte de Mende, 34293 Montpellier

Tél : +33/0 4 67 61 32 60 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

My research is centered in the theoretical framework of evolutionary ecology, population biology and behavioural ecology. My projects aim at understanding life history variation in order to determine the adaptive and evolutionary processes that explain and maintain animal diversity. I´m particularly interested by three kinds of life history traits linked to behavior: cooperation, animal communication and maternal invesment. I'm mainly using birds as biological models. I'm mainly using empirical methods, including large-scale experiments and analyses of long-term data sets on different populations of passerine birds in the field.

I'm currently working on four main projects. 1) Evolution of colour ormentation in birds(with a special focus on female coloration and blue tits) 2) the cause and life history traits consequences of cooperation in sociable weavers ; 3) Sexual and social evolution on islands, and 4) the evolution of weaver nests.

I'm also part of  the Arts-Sciences project Obô and the association https://plumesetracines.net/

1 - Evolution of ornementation in birds

 Photos: Claire Doutrelant

Team: Arnaud GREGOIRE(Lecturer, Univ Montpellier), Amélie FARGEVIEILLE (post Doc), David LóPEZ-IDIáQUEZ (Post doc), Lisa SANDMEYER (PhD Student)

Collaborations: Anne CHARMANTIER(CEFE),  Denis REALE(UQUAM, Canada), Céline TEPLITSKY(CEFE), Doris GOMEZ(CEFE),   Julien RENOULT (CEFE),  RIta COVAS(CIBIO Portugal, FizPatrick Institute SA); Maria DEL REY (spectrophotometric measurements), Christophe de FRANCESCHI(field work and data base management), Samuel PERRET(Field work and Patch measurements), Annick LUCAS(Field work and Patch measurements), Pablo GIOVANNINI(Field work)

* Evolution of female colour ornementation

In this project we use a combination of empirical and comparative approaches to address three fundamental questions on sexual and social selection in both monomorphic species and dimorphic species in which females present conspicuous traits. Our questions are the following (i) Are female conspicuous traits under sexual /social selection ? (ii) Do female conspicuous traits reflect female quality and which mechanisms maintain signal honesty? (iii) What are the population consequences of female signalling and mutual sexual selection.

Examples of publications (full list below)

Fargevieille, A., Grégoire, A., Gomez, D. & Doutrelant, C. 2023Evolution of female color in birds: the role of paternal care and female reproductive costs.Journal of evolutionary ecology. 36(3), 579-588

Doutrelant, C., Fargevieille, A., Grégoire, A.  2020.Evolution of female coloration: what have we learned from birds in general and blue tits in particular. Adv. Study in Behaviour PDF

 Photo Claire Doutrelant

 * Evolution of plumage ornement in space and time

Selection often varies in space and time and long-term research that spans broad spatial scales is needed to understand the factors driving phenotypic variation and to assess the links between traits and fitness.  To assess the importance of spatiotemporal variation  and its consequences on selection estimates, we collected data on two study systems: (i) the blue tit (yellow and UV-blue colorationsmeasured by spectrophotometry since 2005, 600 birds measured each year); (ii) the  size of the sociable weaver melanin patch  since 2010 (the bib patch is photographied each year on 400 individuals)

Examples of publications (full list below)

 Lopez-Idiaquez, D.; Teplitsky, C.; Grégoire, A.; Fargevieille, F.; del Rey, M.; de Franceschi, C.; Charmantier, A.; Doutrelant, C. 2022. Long-term decrease in colouration: a consequence of climate change? American Naturalist https://doi.org/10.1086/719655   

Dominance interaction -  Photo Franck Théron

2 -Evolution and consequences of cooperation

 *TEAM: Co Pi: Rita COVAS(http://www.fitzpatrick.uct.ac.za/fitz/staff/research/covas; CIBIO, Portugal), André FERREIRA (Univ. Zurich), Franck THERON (data base managmer and field), Liliana SILVA (video manager and machine Learning methods) Jorge Garcia Campa (Post doc),  Gabriel Munar(Post doc), Babette FOURIE (PhD Student), Nicolas  SILVA(PhD Student), Marta MARMELO (PhD Student); , Fanny RYBAK(Univ Orsay, FR),

*Collaboration:  Matthieu PAQUET(Swenden), François CRISCUOLO& Sandrine ZAHN(Univ Strasbourg, FR),  Julien Renoult(CEFE, FR)

           Website: https://sociableweaverproject.com/

The project aims at understanding the fitness bases of cooperation and the consequences of cooperation for population dynamics through its effects on reproductive output, survival and dispersal. Our study model is an endemic passerine bird from southern African passerine. This bird is a cooperative breeder. In cooperatively breeding species, mature individuals called ‘helpers’ assist the breeding pairs by bringing additional food to the nest. We work on the evolution of different cooperative behaviours – cooperative breeding, nest building and predator mobbing and on the relationship between cooperation, fitness, dispersal and long-term population dynamics.

Currently our project has two main aims: (i) determining whether sexual or social selection play a role in the evolution of cooperation and thus the role of partner choice ; (ii) determining  how presence / absence of co-operators affects maternal effects and parental investments

This project is suppported by the PercyFizpatric Institute of the University of Cape Town & the INEE - CNRS: Long-term Studies in Ecology and Evolution (SEE-Life)

http://www.fitzpatrick.uct.ac.za/fitz/research/programmes/longterm/sociableweaver

Examples of publications (full list below)

D'Amelio, P.; Ferreira, A.; Fortuna, R.; Paquet, M.; Silva, L. ; Theron, F.; Doutrelant, C.; Covas, R. 2022. Disentangling climatic and nest predator impact on reproductive output reveals adverse high temperature effects regardless of helper number in an arid-region cooperative bird Ecology Letter25(1), 151-162

Covas, R., Lardy, S.; Silva, L.; Rey, B.; Ferreira, A. C.; Théron, F.; Tognetti, A.; Faivre, B. Doutrelant, C. 2022.The oxidative cost of helping and its minimisation in a cooperative breeder Behavioural Ecology33(3), 504-517

Ferreira, A., Silva, L., Renna, F., Brandl, H. B., Renoult, J., Farine, D., Covas, R. & Doutelant, C.  2020 Deep learning based methods for individual recognition in small birds. Method in Ecol Evol PDF

Covas, R. & Doutrelant, C.* 2019. Testing the sexual and social benefits of cooperation in animals. Trends Ecol Evol In press. *Both authors contributed equally to the manuscript PDF

Photos: Claire Doutrelant

  3- Evolution on islands

TEAM:  Rita Covas (CIBIO, Portugal), FitzPatrick Institute, Univ Cape Town), Martim Melo(CIBIO),  Claire Loiseau ( Univ Montpellier), Ana Leitao (Post doc ); Raquel Ponti (Post doc)

             Website: https://islandbirdproject.com/

Islands are unique ecosystems sharing a distinctive set of characteristics that make them particularly interesting to study adaptation by organisms. The isolation and reduced area of islands result in simplified ecological ecosystems and an impoverished fauna that are expected to lead to convergent patterns of adaptation (the ‘insularity syndrome’). Our aim is to establish, using comparative work , whether island birds worldwide display such convergent shift for ornamentation, songs, behaviour and morphology. Then we aim at determining which factors lead to those changes and are particularly interested by the role of parasitism and interspecific competition. We worked on data collected in natural history museum and in the field (Sao Tome, Madeira, Gabon, Cameroun).

Examples of publications (full list below)

Ponti, R., Doutrelant, C., & Covas, R. (2023). Strength of the ‘island rule’in birds is positively associated with absence of avian predators.Biology Letters, 19(3), 20220536

Barthe, M., Doutrelant, C., Covas, R., Melo, M., Illera, J. C., Tilak, M. K.,... & Nabholz, B. (2022). Evolution of immune genes in island birds: reduction in population sizes can explain island syndrome. Peer Community Journal, 2.

Robert, A., Melo, M., Lengagne, T.,. Julien, S..& Doutrelant, C. 2021Patterns of bird song evolution on islands support the character release hypothesis in tropical but not in temperate latitudes. Journal of Evolutionary Biology34(10), 1580-1591

Bliard, L., Robert, A. Paquet, M, Renoult, J., Grégoire, A., Crochet, P.A. Covas, R & Doutrelant, C. 2020 Examining the link between relaxed predation and bird colouration on islands.  Biol Lett PDF

Robert, A., Lengagne, T., Melo, M., Julien, S.., Gardette, V. Covas, R. & Doutrelant, C.2019. The Theory of Island Biogeography and Soundscapes: species diversity and the organization of acoustic communities. J. Biogeography PDF

Doutrelant, C.,Paquet,Renoult, J. M. Grégoire, A., Crochet, P.A. Covas, R. 2016 Worldwide patterns of bird colouration on islands. Ecology Letter  19: 537–545 PDF

 Photos: Claire Doutrelant & Martim Melo
 

 4 - Weaver nest as an extended phenotype

Team : Rita Covas (CIBIO, Portugal), FitzPatrick Institute, Univ Cape Town), Julien Renoult (CEFE), Erwan Harscouet(phD CEFE),  Dieter Oschadleus(Univ. Cape Town) , Staffan Andersson(Univ.  Gothenburg), Fanny Rybak(Univ. Paris Sud)

 We investigate the role of sexual selection on the evolution and diversification of i) nest weaving (the extended phenotype) and on colours, songs, and flight displays.

5-Long term monitoring of blue tit (worked initiated by Jacques Blondel in 1976)

Researchers: Jacques Blondel, Samuel Caro,Anne Charmantier, Claire Doutrelant,,Christophe de Francheschi,  Pablo Giovannini, Arnaud Grégoire, Marcel Lambrechts, Annick Lucas, Samuel Perret,  Philippe Perret,Denis Réale(Canada),Céline Teplltsky

This program  is supported but the INEE - CNRS: Long-term Studies in Ecology and  Evolution (SEE-Life)

https://data.oreme.org/tit/home   & https://oreme.org/observation/ecopop/mesanges/

https://mesangecefe1.wixsite.com/mesangecefe

Photos Claire Doutrelant

 6 - Obô, an art science projet

An art science project with Claire Loiseau, Martim Melo, Hélène Fromen & Maya Cylarem

Project funded by European comission - Biopolis with the help of the CNRS, CEFE. A first sponsor: Ornithomedia

Posted by Maya Cyclarem & Ayline Le Sourd

website: https://plumesetracines.net/

7- Short CV

8 - Publications

update list: https://scholar.google.fr/citations?hl=fr&user=Fap-wf0AAAAJ

Do not hesitate to ask for reprint !

9 - Funding

Investigatrice principale (PI)

* 2020-2024        ANR Extended phenotype.The evolution of extended phenotypes and associated signals in animals: weaverbirds’ nests and sexual selection as a case study?  With R Covas (CIBIO, Univ Porto, F Rybak (Univ Paris Sud), Julien Renoult

* 2018-2019        CEMEB Montpellier Explanatory Research Project Relaxed selection at immunity genes in insular populations ? A test using a population genomics approach With B Naboltz R Covas, M Melo, C. Loiseau

* 2018- ..             OSU OREME Suivi de la phénologie de reproduction du Républicain Social.

* 2015-2019       ANR défis de tous les savoir Can cooperation be under social or sexual selection?  With R Covas (CIBIO, Univ Porto, B Faivre (Univ Dijon), F Rybak (Univ Paris Sud)

* 2016-2018                 PEPS CNRS INEE Paysage Rôle de la compétition interspécifique dans la structuration des paysages acoustiques .  With A Robert (Phd), M Melo (Univ Porto), T Lengagne (CNRS, Lyon).

* 2012-2015         Bourse chercheur d'avenir Région Languedoc Roussillon Sélection sexuelle femelle chez les oiseaux : réalité, origine et conséquences populationnelles - With Arnaud Grégoire, Doris Gomez, Anne Charmantier

*2009-2013         ANR JCJCSélection sexuelle, sociale et évolution des ornements femelles. WithArnaud Grégoire, Doris Gomez, Anne Charmantier, B. Doligez

Co Pi

* 2020-2025        ERC Consolidator COOPERATIVE PARTNER. Pi R Covas

* 2016-2018         Portuguese Science and Technology Foundation (FCT)- Direct benefits of cooperation.PI Rita Covas

*2013-2016         Programme Européen Marie Curie-IRSES Cooperation. Pi Rita Covas. coPI C. Doutrelant, B. Hatchwell,

*2013-2015         FCT + National geographic:Parasite pressure, immunity and sexual ornaments in island and mainland birds.

* 2010-2013         FCT Maternal effects and cooperation Pi Rita Covas,

* 2010- ..             OSU OREME. Suivi de la phénologie de reproduction de la mésange bleue. co Pi A. Charmantier C. Doutrelant, A. Grégoire, M. Lambrechts, C. Téplitsky

*2008 – …         Centre of Excellence FitzPatrick Institute (Af du Sud): Cooperative breeding in sociable weavers Co Pi Rita Covas C. Doutrelant

 I'm always looking for motivated students and post doc to build / work on project! Do not hesitate to contact me with a CV to share your interest!

Chargé de Recherche CNRS

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https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Felix-De-Tombeur-2

Research interests

Soil scientist fascinated by plant ecophysiology, my research focusses on soil-plant interactions in both natural and controlled conditions. I am particularly interested in silicon (Si), a major component of the Earth’s crust and soils, that is increasingly considered as a key element in plant ecology and agriculture through the fantastic process of biosilicification (mineral deposits in plant organs as seen on the left).

Research thematic

I combine expertise in soil science and plant ecophysiology to work on three different research axes:

• The influence of soil properties, and in particular their evolution over time through the use of long-term chronosequences, on silicon cycling (e.g., soil Si pools and fluxes, Si availability for plants, Si uptake by plants and silicification, biological versus lithological control on Si cycling)
• The control of overlooked biotic factors on soil-plant Si mobility (e.g., soil microorganisms, large herbivores, root exudates), and how they could be leveraged to increase crop Si status through specific agricultural practices.
• Developing functional trait-based approaches to better understand the role and functions of Si and silicification in plant ecophysiology, and how it aligns with major ecological theories (plant growth/defense tradeoff, plant economics spectrum, resource availability hypothesis, etc.).

Publications: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=QZdjQjwAAAAJ&hl=fr

Directeur de Recherche ( DR1)/Directeur du CEFE

Mes travaux portent sur la compréhension de la régulation du fonctionnement des écosystèmes terrestres en terme de flux de matière (eau, carbone, nutriments…). Initialement centrées sur les écosystèmes méditerranéens, mes activités ont été élargies à d’autres écosystèmes subissant de très fortes contraintes (les hauts plateaux andins). 

My research focuses on the understanding of terrestrial ecosystems functioning in terms of fluxes (water, carbon, nutrients...). Initially centered on Mediterranean ecosystems, my research activities have been extended to the Andean highlands).

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Mots-clés:Ecologie fonctionnelle-  Changements planetaires -   Méditerranée - Andes - Quercus -  Chenopodium quinoa - Spectroscopie proche infrarouge

Key-words:Functional Ecology - Global Change - Mediterranean Basin - Andes -Quercus - Chenopodium quinoa - NIRS

Directeur de recherche (DR IRD)

CEFE/CNRS
Campus du CNRS
1919, route de Mende
34293 Montpellier 5

tél :  +33 (0)4 67 61 33 53
fax : 33 (0)4 67 61 33 36

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Thèmes de recherche

Mes travaux portent principalement sur la modélisation de la dynamique et du fonctionnement des écosystèmes végétaux naturels terrestres à différentes échelles.

Directeur d'Etude Emerite (EPHE)

CEFE/CNRS
Campus du CNRS
1919, route de Mende
34293 Montpellier 5

tél : +33 4 67 61 33 43

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Thématiques : Incendies ou brûlages,  dynamique du paysage, et faune : écologie des perturbations et conservation.

CNRS Researcher, Team Leader 'Landscape Dynamics and Biodiversity'

Current Research

I work to reveal how animals perceive and adjust to their environment, and why this matters for populations and ecosystems. My model of choice: large herbivores. Because you can (relatively) easily monitor their behaviour in natura, and they have important ecosystem effects. Some have high societal and economical values, so my research sometimes matter beyond basic science. We (as humans) are making the world's climate different. How this affects organisms in the hottest applied ecological question. I do my share to bring an answer to it

Contact:
CEFE/CNRS
Campus du CNRS
1919, route de Mende
34293 Montpellier 5

tél : +33 (0) 467 61 33 02
fax: +33 (0) 467 61 33 36

simon.chamaille -[at]- cefe.cnrs.fr

 Chargée de Recherche HC - CE - INRAE - HDR

Centre d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive
1919, route de Mende
34293 Montpellier 5


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. 

Personal interests

As an ecophysiologist, my research is focused on the adaptive strategies of plants under drought (Volaire, 2018, Global Change Biology). I have particularly analysed the adaptive strategies to cope with severe water deficit, such as summer dormancy (Volaire & Norton, 2006, Annals of Botany). I also investigate the  dehydration tolerance and embolism resistance of perennial herbaceous plants under severe summer droughts as occurring in Mediterranean and semi-arid areas.  We proposed a critical view of the so called 'functional' traits that are increasingly challenged as unsuitable to fully understand plant and communities functioning (Volaire et al., 2021 Ecology and Evolution). As a consequence, I highlight the importance of seasonal phenological adaptations across species and types to survive dehydration stress (drought, frost), based on the important framework in ecology, the 'growth-stress survival' tradeoff' (Volaire et al., 2022 Annals of Botany). I am developing collaborative research projects with geneticists and ecologists to understand plant traits and strategies associated with drought survival with application to plant breeding in forage species for better adaptation to increasing aridity under climate change.

Intérêts personnels
Mes travaux portent sur les stratégies adaptatives des plantes à la sécheresse. Je travaille notamment sur les espèces herbacées pérennes sous sécheresses estivales sévères de type méditerranéen. Je couple des approches en écophysiologie, agronomie et écologie fonctionnelle. L’objectif principal est d’analyser le fonctionnement des espèces et communautés herbacées sous contrainte hydrique forte dans le cadre du changement climatique. Un cadre conceptuel et terminologique unifié des stratégies adaptatives des plantes à la sécheresse a été proposé en 2018. Les études portent notamment sur la stratégie de dormance estivale et plus largement sur la généricité du compromis fonctionnel entre potentiel de croissance et survie au stress. Une revue multi-espèces et multi-stress a été publiée en 2023 dans Annals of Botany qui propose de considérer mieux la phénologie des plantes au travers d'un 'Plant economics spectrum' saisonnier.