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Major urinary protein (MUP) profiles show dynamic changes rather than individual 'barcode' signatures
M Thoß1, K C Luzynski1, M Ante1
1Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology, Department of Integrative Biology and Evolution, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution
|March 15, 2016
Summary
House mouse major urinary protein (MUP) profiles, thought to be unique individual fingerprints, are actually dynamic and change over time. These MUPs are not stable enough to serve as reliable barcodes for individual recognition in wild mice.
Area of Science:
- Animal Behavior
- Genetics
- Biochemistry
Background:
- House mice (Mus musculus) possess variable major urinary protein (MUP) profiles.
- These MUP profiles are hypothesized to act as unique olfactory signatures for individual and kin recognition (the 'barcode hypothesis').
- Previous research lacked empirical testing of MUP profile stability and individual uniqueness in wild populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the individual variability and temporal consistency of MUP profiles in wild house mice.
- To test the assumptions of the 'barcode hypothesis' regarding MUP-based individual recognition.
- To explore alternative functions of MUP profiles in house mouse social interactions.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of urinary MUP profiles from 66 wild-caught house mice across eight populations using isoelectric focusing.
- Longitudinal study of MUP profile changes in 58 males from 6 to 24 weeks of age.
- Comparison of MUP profile similarity between siblings and non-kin.
Main Results:
- MUP profiles in wild male house mice were not individually unique, with variation primarily in minor bands.
- Major MUP bands were largely homogenous, while minor bands showed high variability but were unstable over time.
- Individual MUP profiles exhibited significant dynamic changes, particularly after puberty and into adulthood.
- Despite fluctuations, MUP profiles showed greater similarity among siblings than non-kin.
Conclusions:
- The 'barcode hypothesis' is challenged as MUP profiles lack individual uniqueness and long-term stability.
- Dynamic changes in MUP profiles suggest a function beyond static individual fingerprints.
- MUP profiles may play a role in kin recognition, but their variability supports a 'dynamic changes' hypothesis for individual recognition.
Keywords:
Mus musculus musculusbarcode hypothesisindividual recognitioninter-individual variationintra-individual consistencymajor urinary proteinsMore Related Videos
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