![]() (2018) found a significant association between a risk-taking behavior (novel object test) of great tits and SERT single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), and later they related SERT polymorphism to hissing behavior and anti-predator behavior of incubating females ( Timm et al., 2019). (2021) also found one locus within SERT in grey seals ( Halichoerus grypus) to be related to boldness. (2016) found a significant association between SERT polymorphisms and flight initiation distance, which is related to proactivity ( Carrete and Tella, 2017 delBarco-Trillo, 2018). In dunnocks ( Prunella modularis), Holtmann et al. (2015) found significant variation in the allelic frequencies in this gene between different populations linked to differences in coping style between urban and rural blackbirds ( Turdus merula) and great tits ( Parus major). Modified methylation pattern or several genetic polymorphisms in the SERT gene can also lead to cognitive and psychiatric disorders in humans ( Homberg and Lesch, 2011 Ouellet-Morin et al., 2013 van IJzendoorn et al., 2010).Īlthough there is quite ample knowledge on the function of SERT in humans and laboratory animals, few studies have investigated the role of SERT polymorphisms in the inter-individual variation of coping style traits in wild animals. In humans and laboratory animals, SERT is known to be involved in harm avoidance ( Ebstein, 2006), anxiety behavior ( Canli and Lesch, 2007 Savitz and Ramesar, 2004 Serretti et al., 2006), novelty seeking ( Holmes et al., 2003 Murphy et al., 2008) and decision-making behavior ( van den Bos et al., 2013). One of the most promising candidate genes for coping style traits is the serotonin transporter ( SERT), which controls the uptake of the serotonin neurotransmitter in the neuronal synaptic clefts. However, in spite of the large heritable component of coping styles and their important ecological and evolutionary implications ( Carere and Maestripieri, 2013), the genetic loci underlying coping styles are relatively unknown. These results also suggest that hissing behavior should be regarded as a fear-induced shy behavior, and confirm that SERT has an important function in relation to risk aversion behaviors and coping style.Ĭoping styles can be heritable ( Dochtermann et al., 2015 van Oers and Sinn, 2013). CT birds could therefore be described as more proactive than CC individuals. We found a strong association between SNP290 polymorphism and the three risk-taking behaviors, with birds with genotype CT entering the nest box with the flag faster and displaying more distress calls and fewer hissing calls. ![]() In this study, we assessed in free-living great tits ( Parus major) the association between SNP290 in the SERT promoter and three standard fear-related behaviors: the response of the birds to a black-and-white flag fixed to the top of the nest box, distress calling rate of the birds in the hand once captured and the hissing call of incubating females when approached by a predator. ![]() ![]() The coping style of an individual in relation to potentially dangerous situations has been suggested to be inherited in a polygenic fashion, SERT being one of the candidate genes. ![]()
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