10.5061/DRYAD.PQ742
Sartori, Cristina
University of Padua
Mantovani, Roberto
University of Padua
Data from: Indirect genetic effects and the genetic bases of social
dominance: evidence from cattle
Dryad
dataset
2015
Social dominance
genetic parameters
Bos taurus
IGEs
2015-07-07T16:36:24Z
2015-07-07T16:36:24Z
en
https://doi.org/10.1038/hdy.2012.56
337845 bytes
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CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication
Genetic studies of social behaviour have currently received new impetus
from models including indirect genetic effects (IGEs) of social partners.
This study aimed at investigating the contribution of conspecifics in
social dominance, considered as response of dyadic interaction that is,
winning (dominant individual) or losing (subordinate). A genetic
correlation of −1 is expected between the attitude to win and the attitude
to loose, and because a population always accounts for half winners and
half losers, the heritability of the dominant status should be close to
zero. Specifically, social dominance was studied in Aosta Chestnut and
Aosta Black Pied (Bos taurus) breeds, alpine rustic cattle famous for
traditional tournaments where pairs of cows assess dominant status in
bloodless fights. The outcomes of 25 590 dyadic interactions performed by
8159 individuals in 11 years were analysed by applying a classical
quantitative model and models including indirect effects. Data were
analysed via Bayesian approach on a threshold trait. The assessment of
variances revealed a genetic correlation of −0.976 between direct and
indirect genetic components. The heritability measured on a liability
scale was 0.122 for direct phenotype, but decreased to 0.014 when the
total heritable variance (TBV) was considered. The trend of estimated
breeding values showed that the total TBV was constant over the years,
even though its direct component increased and the indirect part
decreased. This result confirms the relevance of IGEs on social behaviour
and the assumption that the mean individual social dominance cannot evolve
within a population, due to the evolutionary constraints imposed by the
‘social environment’.
DataData utilized in the study. The zip folder contains the following
files: Dataset, Pedigree, EBVs, ReadMe. More information on data are
provided in the ReadMe file (within the zip folder or below).