Domestication effects on aggressiveness: Comparison of biting motivation and bite force between wild and domesticated finches

Abstract

ABSTRACTDomesticated animals evolve unique traits, known as domestication phenotypes or the domestication syndrome, due to their adaptation to a captive environment and changes in selection pressures. After being tamed, the Bengalese finch (Lonchura striata var. domestica) has undergone behavioural and physiological trait changes that differ from those of its wild ancestor, the white-rumped munia (Lonchura striata). The Bengalese finch has complex songs, lower fear response, and lower corticosterone levels than those in the white-rumped munia. We hypothesized that domesticated finches increase the effort to reproduce in lieu of maintaining fitness for survival as needed in the wild. Aggressiveness and bite performance affect survival rates and reproductive success, and are good indicators of adaptability in the natural environment. Therefore, we compared the aggressiveness and biting force of white-rumped munias with those of Bengalese finches to explore the evolutionary mechanisms of behavioural changes due to domestication. We found that the Bengalese finch had decreased aggressiveness (incidence of aggressive biting birds and the number of bite responses) and bite force than those in the white-rumped munia due to domestication. Therefore, we believe they could allocate more resources for breeding that would otherwise be needed for coping with predators through aggression.