Genetics of behavioural evolution in giant mice from Gough Island
-
Published:2023-05-10
Issue:1998
Volume:290
Page:
-
ISSN:0962-8452
-
Container-title:Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences
-
language:en
-
Short-container-title:Proc. R. Soc. B.
Author:
Stratton Jered A.1ORCID,
Nolte Mark J.1,
Payseur Bret A.1
Affiliation:
1. Laboratory of Genetics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
Abstract
The evolution of behaviour on islands is a pervasive phenomenon that contributed to Darwin's theory of natural selection. Island populations frequently show increased boldness and exploration compared with their mainland counterparts. Despite the generality of this pattern, the genetic basis of island-associated behaviours remains a mystery. To address this gap in knowledge, we genetically dissected behaviour in 613 F2s generated by crossing inbred mouse strains from Gough Island (where they live without predators or human commensals) and a mainland conspecific. We used open field and light/dark box tests to measure seven behaviours related to boldness and exploration in juveniles and adults. Across all assays, we identified a total of 41 quantitative trait loci (QTL) influencing boldness and exploration. QTL have moderate effects and are often unique to specific behaviours or ages. Function-valued trait mapping revealed changes in estimated effects of QTL during assays, providing a rare dynamic window into the genetics of behaviour often missed by standard approaches. The genomic locations of QTL are distinct from those found in laboratory strains of mice, indicating different genetic paths to the evolution of similar behaviours. We combine our mapping results with extensive phenotypic and genetic information available for laboratory mice to nominate candidate genes for the evolution of behaviour on islands.
Funder
University of Wisconsin
NHGRI
National Institutes of Health
Publisher
The Royal Society
Subject
General Agricultural and Biological Sciences,General Environmental Science,General Immunology and Microbiology,General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology,General Medicine
Reference72 articles.
1. Darwin C. 1840 Journal of researches into the geology and natural history of the various countries visited by H.M.S. Beagle, under the command of captain Fitzroy from 1832 to 1836. London, UK: Henry Colburn.
2. Island tameness: living on islands reduces flight initiation distance
3. How to behave when marooned: the behavioural component of the island syndrome remains underexplored
4. Williamson, M.H. 1981. Island populations. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.
5. Grant, P. 1998. Evolution on islands. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.