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Behaviour-related DRD4 polymorphisms in invasive bird populations.
J C Mueller1, P Edelaar, M Carrete
1Department of Behavioural Ecology & Evolutionary Genetics, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Seewiesen, Germany.
Molecular Ecology
|April 23, 2014
Summary
Behavioral traits in invasive species like the Yellow-crowned bishop are genetically influenced. Two DRD4 gene variants significantly predict activity and novelty-seeking behavior, aiding invasion studies.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral ecology
- Evolutionary genetics
- Invasive species biology
Background:
- Individual behavioral traits are crucial for successful species colonization of new habitats.
- Understanding the genetic basis of behavioral variation in invasive species is key to assessing their evolutionary potential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the genetic underpinnings of neophilic/neophobic and activity behaviors in invasive Yellow-crowned bishop populations.
- To investigate the role of the DRD4 gene in behavioral variation related to invasion success.
Main Methods:
- Sequencing of the DRD4 gene exon 3 in 100 Yellow-crowned bishops from invasive populations in Spain and Portugal.
- Assessing individual activity behavior twice in response to novel objects (battery, apple slice) under captive conditions.
- Identifying single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the DRD4 gene and their association with behavioral phenotypes.
Main Results:
- Individual responses to novel objects were repeatable (r = 0.41).
- Two synonymous DRD4 SNPs explained 11-15% of the phenotypic variance in neophilic/neophobic/activity behavior.
- A significant genetic component to this personality axis was identified in the invasive populations.
Conclusions:
- The DRD4 gene plays a role in the neophilic/neophobic/activity personality axis of the Yellow-crowned bishop.
- These genetic variants can serve as markers for personality traits and contribute to understanding invasion evolution.
- Weak or antagonistic selection may maintain these alleles during different invasion stages.
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