Urbanization is associated with non-coding polymorphisms in candidate behavioural genes in the Eurasian coot

Area of Science:

• Evolutionary biology
• Behavioral ecology
• Genetics

Background:

• Urbanization drives phenotypic divergence in animal populations.
• The genetic basis for behavioral and circadian rhythm changes in urban wildlife is poorly understood.
• Eurasian coots (Fulica atra) provide a model system to study urban adaptation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the genetic underpinnings of behavioral differences between urban and nonurban Eurasian coot populations.
• To identify candidate genes associated with behavioral traits crucial for urban survival.
• To explore the role of genetic variation in adaptation to urban environments.

Main Methods:

• Genotyping of personality-related candidate genes in urban and nonurban coot populations.
• Quantification of polymorphisms in CREB1 and CKIɛ genes.
• Comparison of genetic differentiation at candidate genes versus neutral microsatellite markers.

Main Results:

• Associations found between urbanization levels and polymorphisms in the CREB1 gene's 3'UTR region.
• Significant genetic differentiation in the CKIɛ gene's intronic region between urban and nonurban coot populations.
• Stronger genetic differentiation at the CKIɛ intron than neutral markers, suggesting local adaptation.

Conclusions:

• Behavioral divergence in Eurasian coots is likely driven by habitat-specific selective pressures leading to genetic adaptations.
• Adaptations to urban environments are more prevalent in non-coding regulatory gene regions.
• Microevolutionary processes, involving both general and local adaptation patterns, shape bird behavior in response to landscape urbanization.