Evolution of sociability: genome scans and gene validation.

Area of Science:

• Behavioral genetics
• Evolutionary biology
• Animal behavior

Background:

• Sociability, the tendency to affiliate with others, is crucial for fitness and well-being.
• Limited understanding exists regarding the natural genetic basis of sociability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the genetic underpinnings of variation in sociability.
• To identify candidate genes influencing social behavior through artificial selection.

Main Methods:

• Artificial selection was used to create fruit fly lineages with divergent sociability levels.
• Genomic analysis identified single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and candidate genes associated with sociability.
• Gene knockdown experiments were performed to validate the function of candidate genes.

Main Results:

• Genomic analysis yielded lists of SNPs and candidate genes related to sociability variation.
• 36 genes showed significant divergence between high and low sociability lineages.
• Knockdown experiments confirmed that 18 out of 19 candidate genes significantly impact sociability, with some sex-specific effects.

Conclusions:

• This study identifies key genes influencing sociability, a fundamental quantitative trait.
• Findings provide a foundation for understanding the genetic architecture of social behavior.
• The results have implications for animal behavior, human health, and longevity.