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Evolution and Genetics of Precocious Burrowing Behavior in Peromyscus Mice
Hillery C Metz1, Nicole L Bedford1, Yangshu Linda Pan1
1Department of Organismic & Evolutionary Biology, Department of Molecular & Cellular Biology, Center for Brain Science, and the Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute.
Current Biology : CB
|December 5, 2017
Summary
Differences in innate burrowing behavior between Peromyscus polionotus and Peromyscus maniculatus are genetic. Juvenile Peromyscus polionotus exhibit precocious burrowing, a trait linked to adult burrow architecture, suggesting shared genetic control.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Behavioral genetics
- Developmental biology
Background:
- Understanding the evolution of innate behaviors between species is a key biological challenge.
- Comparing behavioral development in species with distinct adult traits can elucidate evolutionary differences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the genetic basis of precocious burrowing behavior in Peromyscus polionotus compared to its sister species, Peromyscus maniculatus.
- To determine if early-life environment influences species-specific burrowing behaviors.
- To explore the genetic correlation between juvenile burrowing timing and adult burrow architecture.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of burrowing behavior onset and adult burrow architecture in Peromyscus polionotus and Peromyscus maniculatus.
- Reciprocal cross-fostering experiments to assess environmental influences.
- Backcross hybrid analysis to investigate genetic correlations and identify associated genetic regions.
Main Results:
- Peromyscus polionotus exhibit significantly precocious burrowing behavior (onset at 17 days) compared to Peromyscus maniculatus (onset at 27 days).
- Juvenile burrow architecture differences mirrored adult patterns, and cross-fostering did not alter species-specific behaviors, indicating a genetic basis.
- Precocious burrowing and adult tunnel length were genetically correlated, with a Peromyscus polionotus allele linked to both traits.
Conclusions:
- The precocious burrowing behavior in Peromyscus polionotus is genetically determined and not influenced by early-life environment.
- The same genetic region appears to influence both the developmental timing (precocity) and adult expression (tunnel length) of burrowing behavior.
- Genetic variants affecting burrowing drive (motivation) may underlie both developmental timing and adult expression of this innate behavior.
