Variation in anti-predator behavior among five strains of inbred guppies, Poecilia reticulata

Quantitative genetic studies frequently utilize inbred strains of animals as tools for partitioning the direct and indirect effects of genes from environmental effects in generating an observed phenotype, however, this approach is rarely applied to behavioral studies. Guppies, Poecilia reticulata, p...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Behavior genetics 2006-09, Vol.36 (5), p.783-791
Main Authors: Bleakley, Bronwyn H, Martell, Christopher M, Brodie, 3rd, Edmund D
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Behavior
Evolution
Female
Genetic Variation
Genotype & phenotype
Inbreeding
Male
Models, Genetic
Morphology
Motor Activity
Physiology
Poecilia - genetics
Poecilia reticulata
Predation
Predatory Behavior - physiology
Quantitative genetics
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Summary:Quantitative genetic studies frequently utilize inbred strains of animals as tools for partitioning the direct and indirect effects of genes from environmental effects in generating an observed phenotype, however, this approach is rarely applied to behavioral studies. Guppies, Poecilia reticulata, perform a set of anti-predator behaviors that may provide an ideal system to study how complex behavioral traits are generated. To assess the utility of ornamental guppies in quantitative genetics studies of behavior, we assayed five morphologically distinct strains of ornamental guppies for response to predator cues and for variation in response among strains. Despite individual variation, all five strains responded to predator cues and differences among strains were found for all assayed behaviors, including measures of boldness and predator avoidance.
ISSN:0001-8244
1573-3297
DOI:10.1007/s10519-005-9044-5