Sex‐specific associations of the maturation locus vgll3 with exploratory behavior and boldness in Atlantic salmon juveniles

• Published in: Ecology and evolution 2024-06, Vol.14 (6), p.e11449-n/a
• Main Authors: Bangura, Paul Bai, Tiira, Katriina, Aykanat, Tutku, Niemelä, Petri T., Erkinaro, Jaakko, Liljeström, Petra, Toikkanen, Anna, Primmer, Craig R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aggressiveness; Alleles; Animal reproduction; Atlantic salmon; Behavior; behavioral syndrome; Behavioural Ecology; Calling behavior; Evolutionary Ecology; evolutionary trade‐offs; Exploratory behavior; Genetic diversity; Genetics; Genotype & phenotype; Genotypes; Juveniles; Latency; Life history; Life History Ecology; Maturation; maturity age; Physical fitness; Physiology; Predation; Predictions; Rare species; Reproductive behavior; Salmon; Sex differences; Sexual behavior; vgll3 genotype
• ISSN: 2045-7758; 2045-7758
• DOI: 10.1002/ece3.11449

Studies linking genetics, behavior and life history in any species are rare. In Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), age at maturity is a key life‐history trait and associates strongly with the vgll3 locus, whereby the vgll3*E allele is linked with younger age at maturity, and higher body condition than the vgll3*L allele. However, the relationship between this genetic variation and behaviors like boldness and exploration which may impact growth and reproductive strategies is poorly understood. The pace‐of‐life syndrome (POLS) framework provides predictions, whereby heightened exploratory behavior and boldness are predicted in individuals with the early maturation‐associated vgll3 genotype (EE). Here, we tested these predictions by investigating the relationship between vgll3 genotypes and exploration and boldness behaviors in 129 juveniles using the novel environment and novel object trials. Our results indicated that contrary to POLS predictions, vgll3*LL fish were bolder and more explorative, suggesting a genotype‐level syndrome including several behaviors. Interestingly, clear sex differences were observed in the latency to move in a new environment, with vgll3*EE males, but not females, taking longer to move than their vgll3*LL counterparts. Our results provide further empirical support for recent calls to consider more nuanced explanations than the pace of life theory for integrating behavior into life‐history theory. This study investigates the relationship between the vgll3 genotype and behaviors like boldness and exploration in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). It challenges the pace‐of‐life syndrome (POLS) predictions by revealing that salmon with the late maturation genotype (vgll3*LL), contrary to expectations, displayed greater boldness and exploratory behavior. The study also highlights sex‐specific differences in these behaviors, extending the understanding of behavioral syndromes to include genetic factors linked to life‐history traits.