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Behavioral Genetics
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Behavioral Genetics

A special issue of Genes (ISSN 2073-4425). This special issue belongs to the section "Animal Genetics and Genomics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (5 March 2022) | Viewed by 17790

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Samantha A. Brooks

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Brooks Equine Genetic Lab., Department of Animal Science, Genetic Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
Interests: equine genetics; genetic disorders; coat color; neurological conditions
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Carissa Wickens

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Animal Science, University of Florida, PO Box 110910, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
Interests: animal behavior and welfare; environment and behavior; management and behavior; human–animal interactions
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Behavioral traits, one of the greatest frontiers of the genomics field, often trigger intense debate of the nature vs. nurture theory. These complex traits challenge existing phenotyping technologies, may be changeable over time, and operate in elaborate interactions with diverse environmental stimuli. Yet, many behavioral processes rely on surprisingly strong genetic predilections. Studies of these phenomena span a broad scale of biology, from single-neuron models to long-term studies of large social mammals, encompassing work conducted in experimental model organisms and the field observation of wild species. With the modern availability of tools for genomics like reference genomes, single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping arrays, and next-generation sequencing, we now have an unprecedented ability to dissect at least some of the complex interplay between genetics and the environment. Ultimately, these studies enhance our understanding of the biology of behavior across diverse species, improving genotype-to-phenotype investigations. 

This Special Issue aims to collect current work in the rapidly evolving field of behavioral genomics. Highlighting recent advances in behavioral genetics facilitates the dissemination of these insights into the development and control of animal behavior, and can be used to promote behavioral health and welfare across diverse species and scientific disciplines. We invite the submission of original research works and reviews focused on this fascinating area of study. 

Dr. Samantha A. Brooks
Dr. Carissa Wickens
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Genes is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • behavioral traits
  • neurophysiology
  • gene–environment interactions
  • comparative genomics
  • adaptive behaviors
  • psychogenomics
  • development
  • evolution

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

10 pages, 929 KiB  
Article
Behavioral and Physiological Reactions to a Sudden Novel Object in the Weanling Horse: Quantitative Phenotypes for Future GWAS
by Barclay B. Powell, Kelsey C. Horvath, Tyeler L. Gilliam, Kimberly T. Sibille, Andreas Keil, Emily K. Miller-Cushon, Carissa L. Wickens and Samantha A. Brooks
Genes 2023, 14(3), 593; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes14030593 - 26 Feb 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 3995
Abstract
The startle response can be defined as a reflexive reaction to the sudden appearance of a novel stimulus that influences the survival and resilience of animals. In domesticated species, the behavioral component of the startle response can, in some cases, cause serious injury [...] Read more.
The startle response can be defined as a reflexive reaction to the sudden appearance of a novel stimulus that influences the survival and resilience of animals. In domesticated species, the behavioral component of the startle response can, in some cases, cause serious injury to the animal or human handlers if inappropriately expressed. Here, we describe a longitudinal study in a population of stock-type horses that quantified behavioral startle responses elicited by the presentation of a sudden novel object (rapidly opening umbrella). The study was performed in weanling foals across four consecutive years (n = 74, mean age = 256 days). Behavioral assays for the startle response phenotype focused on six behavioral variables: latency to return to the feed pan (seconds), maximum distance fled (meters), proportion of time spent walking or trotting (seconds), and how long a horse spent standing facing away from or toward the novel object. We observed behavioral startle response variables in relation to cardiac response, age, and sex for each individual. Each horse’s cardiac startle response pattern was determined and categorized into heart rate response cluster groups identified as accelerators and decelerators. Using principal component analysis (PCA) with a factor rotation, we identified “startle response” phenotypes that summarize the behavioral and physiological variables. The largest component of variation, Factor 1, comprised 32.5% of the behavioral variable with a positive correlation with latency and distance, and was not influenced by sex or age. Factor 2 comprised 23.2% of the variation, and was positively correlated with activity level performed such as proportion of time spent walking and/or trotting. Horses with the accelerator type cardiac response had significantly higher Factor 1 scores than decelerators but did not differ in Factor 2. Future work includes expanding our sample size to conduct a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to identify novel genetic loci influencing behavioral startle reactions using recorded behavioral and physiological phenotypes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Behavioral Genetics)
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13 pages, 1906 KiB  
Article
Housing Conditions and a Challenge with Lipopolysaccharide on the Day of Estrus Can Influence Gene Expression of the Corpus Luteum in Gilts
by Arthur Nery da Silva, Luana Alves, Germana Vizzotto Osowski, Leandro Sabei, Priscila Assis Ferraz, Guilherme Pugliesi, Mariana Groke Marques, Ricardo Zanella and Adroaldo José Zanella
Genes 2022, 13(5), 769; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes13050769 - 26 Apr 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2661
Abstract
The corpus luteum (CL) is a temporary endocrine gland that plays a decisive role in the reproductive physiology of gilts. Recently, it has been suggested that exogenous factors may compromise the normal functioning of the CL. In the present study, we aimed to [...] Read more.
The corpus luteum (CL) is a temporary endocrine gland that plays a decisive role in the reproductive physiology of gilts. Recently, it has been suggested that exogenous factors may compromise the normal functioning of the CL. In the present study, we aimed to understand to what extent an acute and systemic challenge with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on the day of estrus could compromise gene expression of gilts’ CLs housed in different welfare conditions. For this, we housed 42 gilts in three different housing systems: crates, indoor group pens, and outdoor housing. Then, we challenged six females from each group with LPS and eight with saline (SAL) on the day of estrus. After slaughtering the gilts on the fifth day after the challenge, ovaries were collected for gene expression analysis by RT-qPCR. Housing system and LPS challenge did not have a significant interaction for any genes evaluated; thus, their effects were studied separately. We identified significant (p < 0.05) downregulation of the angiogenic genes VEGF and FTL1 among LPS-challenged animals. Meanwhile, we also observed upregulation of HSD3B1 gene among LPS-challenged animals. We found that STAR and LHCGR genes were differentially expressed depending on the housing system, which indicates that the environment may affect adaptation capabilities. Our results indicate that an acute health challenge on the estrus day alters CL gene expression; however, the role of the housing system remains uncertain. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Behavioral Genetics)
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17 pages, 2791 KiB  
Article
Use of Host Feeding Behavior and Gut Microbiome Data in Estimating Variance Components and Predicting Growth and Body Composition Traits in Swine
by Yuqing He, Francesco Tiezzi, Jicai Jiang, Jeremy T. Howard, Yijian Huang, Kent Gray, Jung-Woo Choi and Christian Maltecca
Genes 2022, 13(5), 767; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes13050767 - 26 Apr 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2444
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of feeding behavior in conjunction with gut microbiome sampled at two growth stages in predicting growth and body composition traits of finishing pigs. Six hundred and fifty-one purebred boars of three breeds: Duroc [...] Read more.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of feeding behavior in conjunction with gut microbiome sampled at two growth stages in predicting growth and body composition traits of finishing pigs. Six hundred and fifty-one purebred boars of three breeds: Duroc (DR), Landrace (LR), and Large White (LW), were studied. Feeding activities were recorded individually from 99 to 163 days of age. The 16S rRNA gene sequences were obtained from each pig at 123 ± 4 and 158 ± 4 days of age. When pigs reached market weight, body weight (BW), ultrasound backfat thickness (BF), ultrasound loin depth (LD), and ultrasound intramuscular fat (IMF) content were measured on live animals. Three models including feeding behavior (Model_FB), gut microbiota (Model_M), or both (Model_FB_M) as predictors, were investigated. Prediction accuracies were evaluated through cross-validation across genetic backgrounds using the leave-one-breed-out strategy and across rearing environments using the leave-one-room-out approach. The proportions of phenotypic variance of growth and body composition traits explained by feeding behavior ranged from 0.02 to 0.30, and from 0.20 to 0.52 when using gut microbiota composition. Overall prediction accuracy (averaged over traits and time points) of phenotypes was 0.24 and 0.33 for Model_FB, 0.27 and 0.19 for Model_M, and 0.40 and 0.35 for Model_FB_M for the across-breed and across-room scenarios, respectively. This study shows how feeding behavior and gut microbiota composition provide non-redundant information in predicting growth in swine. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Behavioral Genetics)
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17 pages, 1237 KiB  
Article
Genetic Analysis of Novel Behaviour Traits in Pigs Derived from Social Network Analysis
by Saif Agha, Simone Foister, Rainer Roehe, Simon P. Turner and Andrea Doeschl-Wilson
Genes 2022, 13(4), 561; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes13040561 - 23 Mar 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2368
Abstract
Social network analysis (SNA) has provided novel traits that describe the role of individual pigs in aggression. The objectives were to (1) estimate the genetic parameters for these SNA traits, (2) quantify the genetic association between SNA and skin lesion traits, and (3) [...] Read more.
Social network analysis (SNA) has provided novel traits that describe the role of individual pigs in aggression. The objectives were to (1) estimate the genetic parameters for these SNA traits, (2) quantify the genetic association between SNA and skin lesion traits, and (3) investigate the possible response to selection for SNA traits on skin lesion traits. Pigs were video recorded for 24 h post-mixing. The observed fight and bullying behaviour of each animal was used as input for the SNA. Skin lesions were counted on different body parts at 24 h (SL24h) and 3 weeks (SL3wk) post-mixing. A Bayesian approach estimated the genetic parameters of SNA traits and their association with skin lesions. SNA traits were heritable (h2 = 0.09 to 0.26) and strongly genetically correlated (rg > 0.88). Positive genetic correlations were observed between all SNA traits and anterior SL24h, except for clustering coefficient. Our results suggest that selection for an index that combines the eigenvector centrality and clustering coefficient could potentially decrease SL24h and SL3wk compared to selection for each trait separately. This study provides a first step towards potential integration of SNA traits into a multi-trait selection index for improving pigs’ welfare. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Behavioral Genetics)
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27 pages, 2841 KiB  
Article
Haplotype-Based Single-Step GWAS for Yearling Temperament in American Angus Cattle
by Andre C. Araujo, Paulo L. S. Carneiro, Amanda B. Alvarenga, Hinayah R. Oliveira, Stephen P. Miller, Kelli Retallick and Luiz F. Brito
Genes 2022, 13(1), 17; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes13010017 - 22 Dec 2021
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 4651
Abstract
Behavior is a complex trait and, therefore, understanding its genetic architecture is paramount for the development of effective breeding strategies. The objective of this study was to perform traditional and weighted single-step genome-wide association studies (ssGWAS and WssGWAS, respectively) for yearling temperament (YT) [...] Read more.
Behavior is a complex trait and, therefore, understanding its genetic architecture is paramount for the development of effective breeding strategies. The objective of this study was to perform traditional and weighted single-step genome-wide association studies (ssGWAS and WssGWAS, respectively) for yearling temperament (YT) in North American Angus cattle using haplotypes. Approximately 266 K YT records and 70 K animals genotyped using a 50 K single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) panel were used. Linkage disequilibrium thresholds (LD) of 0.15, 0.50, and 0.80 were used to create the haploblocks, and the inclusion of non-LD-clustered SNPs (NCSNP) with the haplotypes in the genomic models was also evaluated. WssGWAS did not perform better than ssGWAS. Cattle YT was found to be a highly polygenic trait, with genes and quantitative trait loci (QTL) broadly distributed across the whole genome. Association studies using LD-based haplotypes should include NCSNPs and different LD thresholds to increase the likelihood of finding the relevant genomic regions affecting the trait of interest. The main candidate genes identified, i.e., ATXN10, ADAM10, VAX2, ATP6V1B1, CRISPLD1, CAPRIN1, FA2H, SPEF2, PLXNA1, and CACNA2D3, are involved in important biological processes and metabolic pathways related to behavioral traits, social interactions, and aggressiveness in cattle. Future studies should further investigate the role of these candidate genes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Behavioral Genetics)
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