A single genetic locus lengthens deer mouse burrows via motor pattern evolution

The question of how evolution builds complex behaviors has long fascinated biologists. To address this question from a genetic perspective, we capitalize on variation in innate burrowing behavior between two sister species of Peromyscus mice: P. maniculatus that construct short, simple burrows and P. polionotus that uniquely construct long, elaborate burrows. We identify three regions of the genome associated with differences in burrow length and then narrow in on one large-effect 12-Mb locus on chromosome 4. By introgressing the P. polionotus allele into a P. maniculatus background, we demonstrate this locus, on its own, increases burrow length by 20%. Next, by recording mice digging in a transparent tube, we find this locus has specific effects on burrowing behavior. This locus does not affect time spent digging or latency to dig, but rather affects usage of only two of the primary digging behaviors that differ between the focal species: forelimb digging, which loosens substrate, and hindlimb kicking, which powerfully ejects substrate. This locus has an especially large effect on hindkicking, explaining 56% and 22% of interspecific differences in latency and proportion of hindkicks, respectively. Together, these data provide genetic support for the hierarchical organization of complex behaviors, offering evolution the opportunity to tinker with specific behavioral components.