10.5061/DRYAD.3BK3J9KKX
Grunst, Andrea
0000-0001-5705-9845
University of La Rochelle
Grunst, Melissa
University of La Rochelle
Staes, Nicky
0000-0002-5444-4470
University of Antwerp
Thys, Bert
0000-0001-7258-1631
University of Antwerp
Pinxten, Rianne
0000-0001-5686-3284
University of Antwerp
Eens, Marcel
0000-0001-7538-3542
University of Antwerp
Data for: Serotonin transporter (SERT) polymorphisms, personality and
problem-solving in urban great tits
Dryad
dataset
2021
Behavioral Ecology, Behavioral Genomics
European Commission
https://ror.org/00k4n6c32
1.2I35.17N
European Commission
https://ror.org/00k4n6c32
799667
2021-12-06T00:00:00Z
2021-12-06T00:00:00Z
en
539229 bytes
3
CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication
Understanding underlying genetic variation can elucidate how diversity in
behavioral phenotypes evolves and is maintained. Genes in the
serotonergic signaling pathway, including the serotonin transporter gene
(SERT), are candidates for affecting animal personality, cognition and
fitness. In a model species, the great tit (Parus major), we reevaluated
previous findings suggesting relationships between SERT polymorphisms,
neophobia, exploratory behavior and fitness parameters, and performed a
first test of the relationship between single nucleotide polymorphisms
(SNPs) in SERT and problem-solving in birds. We found some evidence for
associations between SERT SNPs and neophobia, exploratory behavior and
laying date. Furthermore, several SNPs were associated with behavioral
patterns and success rates during obstacle removal problem-solving tests
performed at nest boxes. In females, minor allele homozygotes (AA) for
nonsynonymous SNP226 in exon 1 made fewer incorrect attempts and were more
likely to problem-solve. In both sexes, there was some evidence that
minor allele homozygotes (CC) for SNP84 in exon 9 were more likely to
problem-solve. Only one SNP-behavior relationship was statistically
significant after correcting for multiple comparisons, but several were
associated with substantial effect sizes. Our study provides a foundation
for future research on the genetic basis of behavioral and cognitive
variation in wild animal populations.
We genotyped SNPs in the 13 exons and promoter region of the great tit
(Parus major) serotonin transporter gene (SERT) via directed sequencing.
We tested neophobia behavior, boldness and exploratory behavior using
standardized behavioral tests performed on wild birds. In addition, we
tested novel problem-solving capacity using a obstacle removal test
performed at nest boxes. We also monitored nest boxes to determine
fitness traits (lay date, fledgling numbers). We related variation in
behavioral (personality) traits, problem-solving performance and fitness
traits to SERT polymorphisms.