Open AccessThe relationship between DRD 4 polymorphisms and phenotypic correlations of behaviors in the collared flycatcher
Author(s) -
Garamszegi László Z.,
Mueller Jakob C.,
Markó Gábor,
Szász Eszter,
Zsebők Sándor,
Herczeg Gábor,
Eens Marcel,
Török János
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
ecology and evolution
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.17
H-Index - 63
ISSN - 2045-7758
DOI - 10.1002/ece3.1041
Subject(s) - biology , snp , genetics , single nucleotide polymorphism , novelty seeking , genetic architecture , population , genotype , gene , phenotype , psychology , demography , big five personality traits , social psychology , personality , sociology
There is increasing evidence that the genetic architecture of exploration behavior includes the dopamine receptor D4 gene ( DRD 4 ). Such a link implies that the within‐individual consistency in the same behavior has a genetic basis. Behavioral consistency is also prevalent in the form of between‐individual correlation of functionally different behaviors; thus, the relationship between DRD 4 polymorphism and exploration may also be manifested for other behaviors. Here, in a Hungarian population of the collared flycatcher, Ficedula albicollis , we investigate how males with distinct DRD 4 genotypes differ in the consistent elements of their behavioral displays during the courtship period. In completely natural conditions, we assayed novelty avoidance, aggression and risk‐taking, traits that were previously shown repeatable over time and correlate with each other, suggesting that they could have a common mechanistic basis. We identified two single‐nucleotide polymorphisms ( SNP 554 and SNP 764) in the exon 3 of the DRD 4 gene by sequencing a subsample, then we screened 202 individuals of both sexes for these SNP s. Focusing on the genotypic variation in courting males, we found that “ AC ” heterozygote individuals at the SNP 764 take lower risk than the most common “ AA ” homozygotes (the “ CC ” homozygotes were not represented in our subsample of males). We also found a considerable effect size for the relationship between SNP 554 polymorphism and novelty avoidance. Therefore, in addition to exploration, DRD 4 polymorphisms may also be associated with the regulation of behaviors that may incur fear or stress. Moreover, polymorphisms at the two SNP s were not independent indicating a potential role for genetic constraints or another functional link, which may partially explain behavioral correlations.