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Gnanadesikan GE, Bray EE, Cook EN, Levy KM, Douglas LELC, Kennedy BS, Tecot SR, MacLean EL. Basal plasma oxytocin & fecal cortisol concentrations are highly heritable and associated with individual differences in behavior & cognition in dog puppies. Horm Behav 2024; 165:105612. [PMID: 39116461 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2024.105612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2024] [Revised: 07/15/2024] [Accepted: 07/25/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024]
Abstract
Oxytocin and cortisol are hormones that can influence cognition and behavior, but the relationships between endogenous concentrations and individual differences in cognitive and behavioral phenotypes remain poorly understood. Across mammals, oxytocin has important roles in diverse social behaviors, and in dogs, it has been implicated in human-oriented behaviors such as social gaze and point-following. Cortisol, an end-product of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, is often studied in relation to temperament and emotional reactivity, but it is also known to modulate executive functions. In this study, we measured basal fecal cortisol (n = 247) and plasma oxytocin (n = 249) in dog puppies from a pedigreed population (Canine Companions ®). We collected cognitive and behavioral data from these subjects (n = 247), including measures of human-oriented social cognition, memory, inhibitory control, perceptual discriminations, and temperament. Oxytocin concentrations were estimated to be very highly heritable (h2 = 0.90-0.99) and cortisol concentrations were estimated to be moderately-highly heritable (h2 = 0.43-0.47). Bayesian mixed models controlling for relatedness revealed that oxytocin concentrations were positively associated with spatial working memory and displayed a negative quadratic relationship with behavioral laterality, but no credible associations were seen for social measures. Cortisol concentrations exhibited a negative linear relationship with performance on an inhibitory control task and a negative quadratic relationship with bold behavioral reactions to a novel object. Collectively, our results suggest that individual differences in oxytocin and cortisol concentrations are under strong genetic control in dogs and are associated with phenotypic variation in aspects of temperament, behavioral laterality, and executive function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gitanjali E Gnanadesikan
- School of Anthropology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; Laboratory for the Evolutionary Endocrinology of Primates, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; Cognitive Science Program, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; Department of Anthropology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
| | - Emily E Bray
- School of Anthropology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; Canine Companions for Independence, Santa Rosa, CA 95402, USA; College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; Psychology Department, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Erica N Cook
- School of Anthropology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; Laboratory for the Evolutionary Endocrinology of Primates, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Kerinne M Levy
- Canine Companions for Independence, Santa Rosa, CA 95402, USA
| | | | | | - Stacey R Tecot
- School of Anthropology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; Laboratory for the Evolutionary Endocrinology of Primates, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Evan L MacLean
- School of Anthropology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; Cognitive Science Program, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA; Psychology Department, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
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2
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Wu X, Zhang H, Long H, Zhang D, Yang X, Liu D, E G. Genome-Wide Selection Signal Analysis to Investigate Wide Genomic Heredity Divergence between Eurasian Wild Boar and Domestic Pig. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2158. [PMID: 37443955 DOI: 10.3390/ani13132158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
As important livestock species, pigs provide essential meat resources for humans, so understanding the genetic evolution behind their domestic history could help with the genetic improvement of domestic pigs. This study aimed to investigate the evolution of convergence and divergence under selection in European and Asian domestic pigs by using public genome-wide data. A total of 164 and 108 candidate genes (CDGs) were obtained from the Asian group (wild boar vs. domestic pig) and the European group (wild boar vs. domestic pig), respectively, by taking the top 5% of intersected windows of a pairwise fixation index (FST) and a cross population extended haplotype homozygosity test (XPEHH). GO and KEGG annotated results indicated that most CDGs were related to reproduction and immunity in the Asian group. Conversely, rich CDGs were enriched in muscle development and digestion in the European group. Eight CDGs were subjected to parallel selection of Eurasian domestic pigs from local wild boars during domestication. These CDGs were mainly involved in olfactory transduction, metabolic pathways, and progesterone-mediated oocyte maturation. Moreover, 36 and 18 haplotypes of INPP5B and TRAK2 were identified in this study, respectively. In brief, this study did not only improve the understanding of the genetic evolution of domestication in pigs, but also provides valuable CDGs for future breeding and genetic improvement of pigs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinming Wu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China
| | - Haoyuan Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China
| | - Haoyuan Long
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China
| | - Dongjie Zhang
- Institute of Animal Husbandry, Heilongjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin 150086, China
| | - Xiuqin Yang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
| | - Di Liu
- Institute of Animal Husbandry, Heilongjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin 150086, China
| | - Guangxin E
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China
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3
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Wirobski G, Range F, Graat EA, Palme R, Deschner T, Marshall-Pescini S. Similar behavioral but different endocrine responses to conspecific interactions in hand-raised wolves and dogs. iScience 2023; 26:105978. [PMID: 36756369 PMCID: PMC9900400 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.105978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Revised: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Domestication has altered dogs' conspecific social organization compared to their closest, non-domesticated relatives, gray wolves. Wolves live in packs whose survival depends on coordinated behavior, but dogs rely less on conspecifics, which predicts greater cohesiveness in wolf than dog packs. Endocrine correlates such as oxytocin and glucocorticoids modulate group cohesion resulting in species-specific differences in social interactions. We found that although wolves' and dogs' observable behavioral reactions to a territorial threat and separation from the pack were similar, hormonal responses differed. Wolves' but not dogs' oxytocin and glucocorticoid concentrations correlated positively with territorial behaviors and only wolves showed increased glucocorticoid concentrations after separation from their pack. Together, results suggest stronger emotional activation to threats to group integrity in wolves than dogs, in line with their socio-ecology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gwendolyn Wirobski
- Domestication Lab, Konrad-Lorenz-Institute for Ethology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinaerplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria
- Corresponding author
| | - Friederike Range
- Domestication Lab, Konrad-Lorenz-Institute for Ethology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinaerplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria
| | - Evelien A.M. Graat
- Domestication Lab, Konrad-Lorenz-Institute for Ethology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinaerplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria
| | - Rupert Palme
- Unit of Physiology, Pathophysiology and Experimental Endocrinology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinaerplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria
| | - Tobias Deschner
- Institute of Cognitive Science, Comparative BioCognition, University of Osnabrück, Artilleriestrasse 34, 49076, Osnabrück, Germany
| | - Sarah Marshall-Pescini
- Domestication Lab, Konrad-Lorenz-Institute for Ethology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinaerplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria
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4
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Thammacharoen S, Semsirmboon S, Chit-Opas V, Tangcharoensin PA, Nilkachatarn K, Chaiyabutr N. Behavioral responses to baited enclosure method that activates habituation in stray dogs. Vet World 2023; 16:12-17. [PMID: 36855362 PMCID: PMC9967717 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2023.12-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and Aim The behavioral mechanism of stray dog occurrence is associated with domestication process. This study aimed to investigate the population and demographic relationship of stray dogs from our ecological habitat. We tested whether baited enclosure method could be used as an operant conditioning treat-ment to activate habituation behavior in stray dogs. Materials and Methods The first investigation determined the population and demographic characteristics of stray dogs in the metropolitan city of Bangkok using the mark and recapture procedure. In the second investigation, a large cage equipped with a digital camera was used as the feeding and habituation area. Food was provided at four corners for 2 h. The approach behaviors and eating patterns were recorded during this period for 7 days. Results The average number of stray dogs calculated within each cluster was 24 ± 6 dogs. For the natural small habitat, the density of stray dogs was 662 dogs per km2. This indicated that the number of dogs is underestimated using the mark and recapture procedure because of undetected puppies and shifts in the sex ratio in adult dogs. In the second investigation, we demonstrated that food was a potent positive reinforcer for stray dogs. The average onset of cage entry after offering the food was 17 min. The onset of cage entry and the reduction in the first meal duration suggested that the habituation process could be achieved within 1 week. Conclusion The results revealed the possibility of using a large cage as a novel enclosure for food offered as the positive reinforcer for TNR program trapping procedures. We suggest that this humane trapping procedure could be used to activate habituation behavior in stray dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumpun Thammacharoen
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand,Corresponding author: Sumpun Thammacharoen, e-mail: Co-authors: SS: , VC: , PT: , KN: , NC:
| | - Sapon Semsirmboon
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Visara Chit-Opas
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Phak-Anong Tangcharoensin
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Kran Nilkachatarn
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Narongsak Chaiyabutr
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand,The Academy of Science, The Royal Society of Thailand, Dusit, Bangkok 10300, Thailand,Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute, The Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
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Changes in Neuropeptide Prohormone Genes among Cetartiodactyla Livestock and Wild Species Associated with Evolution and Domestication. Vet Sci 2022; 9:vetsci9050247. [PMID: 35622775 PMCID: PMC9144646 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci9050247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The impact of evolution and domestication processes on the sequences of neuropeptide prohormone genes that participate in cell–cell signaling influences multiple biological process that involve neuropeptide signaling. This information is important to understand the physiological differences between Cetartiodactyla domesticated species such as cow, pig, and llama and wild species such as hippopotamus, giraffes, and whales. Systematic analysis of changes associated with evolutionary and domestication forces in neuropeptide prohormone protein sequences that are processed into neuropeptides was undertaken. The genomes from 118 Cetartiodactyla genomes representing 22 families were mined for 98 neuropeptide prohormone genes. Compared to other Cetartiodactyla suborders, Ruminantia preserved PYY2 and lost RLN1. Changes in GNRH2, IAPP, INSL6, POMC, PRLH, and TAC4 protein sequences could result in the loss of some bioactive neuropeptides in some families. An evolutionary model suggested that most neuropeptide prohormone genes disfavor sequence changes that incorporate large and hydrophobic amino acids. A compelling finding was that differences between domestic and wild species are associated with the molecular system underlying ‘fight or flight’ responses. Overall, the results demonstrate the importance of simultaneously comparing the neuropeptide prohormone gene complement from close and distant-related species. These findings broaden the foundation for empirical studies about the function of the neuropeptidome associated with health, behavior, and food production.
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Tobari Y, Theofanopoulou C, Mori C, Sato Y, Marutani M, Fujioka S, Konno N, Suzuki K, Furutani A, Hakataya S, Yao C, Yang E, Tsai C, Tang P, Chen C, Boeckx C, Jarvis ED, Okanoya K. Oxytocin variation and brain region-specific gene expression in a domesticated avian species. GENES, BRAIN, AND BEHAVIOR 2021; 21:e12780. [PMID: 34854547 PMCID: PMC9744569 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Revised: 11/07/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The Bengalese finch was domesticated more than 250 years ago from the wild white-rumped munia (WRM). Similar to other domesticated species, Bengalese finches show a reduced fear response and have lower corticosterone levels, compared to WRMs. Bengalese finches and munias also have different song types. Since oxytocin (OT) has been found to be involved in stress coping and auditory processing, we tested whether the OT sequence and brain expression pattern and content differ in wild munias and domesticated Bengalese finches. We sequenced the OT from 10 wild munias and 11 Bengalese finches and identified intra-strain variability in both the untranslated and protein-coding regions of the sequence, with all the latter giving rise to synonymous mutations. Several of these changes fall in specific transcription factor-binding sites, and show either a conserved or a relaxed evolutionary trend in the avian lineage, and in vertebrates in general. Although in situ hybridization in several hypothalamic nuclei did not reveal significant differences in the number of cells expressing OT between the two strains, real-time quantitative PCR showed a significantly higher OT mRNA expression in the cerebrum of the Bengalese finches relative to munias, but a significantly lower expression in their diencephalon. Our study thus points to a brain region-specific pattern of neurochemical expression in domesticated and wild avian strains, which could be linked to domestication and the behavioral changes associated with it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasuko Tobari
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, School of Veterinary MedicineAzabu UniversitySagamiharaJapan,Center for Human and Animal Symbiosis ScienceAzabu UniversitySagamiharaJapan
| | | | - Chihiro Mori
- Department of Life SciencesThe University of TokyoMeguro‐kuJapan
| | - Yoshimi Sato
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, School of Veterinary MedicineAzabu UniversitySagamiharaJapan
| | - Momoka Marutani
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, School of Veterinary MedicineAzabu UniversitySagamiharaJapan
| | - Sayaka Fujioka
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, School of Veterinary MedicineAzabu UniversitySagamiharaJapan
| | - Norifumi Konno
- Department of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science and EngineeringUniversity of ToyamaToyamaJapan
| | - Kenta Suzuki
- Faculty of Health SciencesNihon Institute of Medical ScienceMoroyamaJapan
| | - Akari Furutani
- Department of Life SciencesThe University of TokyoMeguro‐kuJapan
| | - Shiomi Hakataya
- Department of Life SciencesThe University of TokyoMeguro‐kuJapan
| | - Cheng‐Te Yao
- Council of AgricultureEndemic Species Research Institute (ESRI)Chi‐chiTaiwan
| | - En‐Yun Yang
- Department of Animal ScienceNational Chung Hsing UniversityTaichungTaiwan
| | - Chia‐Ren Tsai
- Department of Animal ScienceNational Chung Hsing UniversityTaichungTaiwan
| | - Pin‐Chi Tang
- Department of Animal ScienceNational Chung Hsing UniversityTaichungTaiwan
| | - Chih‐Feng Chen
- Department of Animal ScienceNational Chung Hsing UniversityTaichungTaiwan
| | - Cedric Boeckx
- Section of General LinguisticsUniversity of BarcelonaBarcelonaSpain,Institute for Complex SystemsUniversitat de BarcelonaBarcelonaSpain,ICREABarcelonaSpain
| | - Erich D. Jarvis
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics of LanguageRockefeller UniversityNew YorkNew YorkUSA,Howard Hughes Medical InstituteChevy ChaseMarylandUSA
| | - Kazuo Okanoya
- Department of Life SciencesThe University of TokyoMeguro‐kuJapan,Cognition and Behavior Joint LaboratoryRIKEN Center for Brain Science (Brain Science Institute (BSI) reorganized)SaitamaJapan
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Brooks J, Yamamoto S. The founder sociality hypothesis. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:14392-14404. [PMID: 34765114 PMCID: PMC8571591 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.8143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Revised: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In this review, we propose that the social dynamics of founder populations in novel and newly available environments can have critical effects in shaping species' sociality and can produce long-lasting changes in social structure and behavior. For founder populations which expand into an underexploited niche separated from the parent population, the necessity of bond formation with strangers, lack of clear territories, and initial abundance of resources can lead to altered initial social dynamics to which subsequent generations adapt. We call this the founder sociality hypothesis. After specifying the theoretical reasoning and mechanism of effect, we focus on three particular cases where the social dynamics of founder populations may have a central role in explaining their modern behavioral ecology. In particular, we develop and review evidence for three predictions of the founder sociality hypothesis in territorial, mixed-sex group forming species: relatively stronger social bonds in the dispersing sex with relatively weaker bonds in the nondispersing sex, reduced territoriality, and increased social tolerance. We briefly touch on the implications for human evolution given our species' evolutionary history marked by frequent expansion and adaptation to novel environments. We conclude by proposing several experiments and models with testable predictions following from the founder sociality hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Brooks
- Wildlife Research CenterKyoto UniversityKyotoJapan
| | - Shinya Yamamoto
- Wildlife Research CenterKyoto UniversityKyotoJapan
- Institute for Advanced StudyKyoto UniversityKyotoJapan
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8
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Wirobski G, Range F, Schaebs FS, Palme R, Deschner T, Marshall-Pescini S. Life experience rather than domestication accounts for dogs' increased oxytocin release during social contact with humans. Sci Rep 2021; 11:14423. [PMID: 34257399 PMCID: PMC8277847 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-93922-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Dogs' increased human-directed sociability compared to wolves may be the result of increased oxytocin system activity and decreased stress responses, but comparative studies accounting for life experience are lacking. We compared hand-raised, pack-living wolves' and dogs' behavior and hormone concentrations after interacting with a closely bonded and a familiar human. Both preferred the bonded partner, but dogs showed less variability in human-directed sociability than wolves. Physical contact was not associated with oxytocin but correlated positively with glucocorticoids in the pack-living animals when the human was not bonded. To clarify the role of life experience, we tested pet dogs and found that oxytocin concentrations correlated positively with physical contact with their owners, while glucocorticoids remained unaffected. Results show that, given similar experiences, wolf-dog differences in human-directed sociability and associated hormones are subtle and indicate that factors related to life as a pet dog rather than domestication account for oxytocin release during human-dog interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gwendolyn Wirobski
- Domestication Lab, Wolf Science Center, Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology, Department of Interdisciplinary Life Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinaerplatz 1, 1210, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Friederike Range
- Domestication Lab, Wolf Science Center, Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology, Department of Interdisciplinary Life Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinaerplatz 1, 1210, Vienna, Austria
| | - Franka S Schaebs
- University of Leipzig, ZLS, Prager Str. 34, 04317, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Rupert Palme
- Unit of Physiology, Pathophysiology and Experimental Endocrinology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinaerplatz 1, 1210, Vienna, Austria
| | - Tobias Deschner
- Interim Group Primatology, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Deutscher Platz 6, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sarah Marshall-Pescini
- Domestication Lab, Wolf Science Center, Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology, Department of Interdisciplinary Life Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinaerplatz 1, 1210, Vienna, Austria
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9
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Trut LN, Kharlamova AV, Pilipenko AS, Herbeck YE. The Fox Domestication Experiment and Dog Evolution: A View Based on Modern Molecular, Genetic, and Archaeological Data. RUSS J GENET+ 2021. [DOI: 10.1134/s1022795421070140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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10
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Brooks J, Kano F, Sato Y, Yeow H, Morimura N, Nagasawa M, Kikusui T, Yamamoto S. Divergent effects of oxytocin on eye contact in bonobos and chimpanzees. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2021; 125:105119. [PMID: 33388536 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2020.105119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2020] [Revised: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Oxytocin has drawn significant research attention for its role in modulating mammalian social behavior. Despite generally conserved roles, oxytocin can function differently even in closely related species. Previous studies have shown that bonobos and chimpanzees, humans' two closest relatives, demonstrate considerable behavioral differences, including that bonobos look more at others' eyes than chimpanzees. Oxytocin is known to increase attention to another's eyes in many mammalian species (e.g. dogs, monkeys, and humans), yet this effect has not been tested in any nonhuman great ape species. This study examined how intranasally-administered oxytocin affects eye contact in bonobos and chimpanzees using eye tracking. Following administration of either oxytocin or saline control with a nebulizer, chimpanzees (n = 6) and bonobos (n = 5) were shown images of conspecific faces while their eye movement was recorded. Oxytocin changed the eye-looking behavior of bonobos and chimpanzees differently. We found that oxytocin increased eye contact in bonobos but not chimpanzees; while one chimpanzee showed an increase, interestingly, 5 out of 6 chimpanzees showed decreased looking to the eyes compared to the mouth, suggesting moderate eye avoidance. Given the importance of eye contact in their social interactions, our results suggest that oxytocin may play modulatory roles in bonobos' and chimpanzees' species-specific social behavior and underscore the importance of oxytocin in hominid social evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Brooks
- Wildlife Research Center, Kyoto University, Japan; Kumamoto Sanctuary, Kyoto University, Japan.
| | - Fumihiro Kano
- Wildlife Research Center, Kyoto University, Japan; Kumamoto Sanctuary, Kyoto University, Japan.
| | - Yutaro Sato
- Wildlife Research Center, Kyoto University, Japan; Kumamoto Sanctuary, Kyoto University, Japan
| | - Hanling Yeow
- Wildlife Research Center, Kyoto University, Japan; Kumamoto Sanctuary, Kyoto University, Japan
| | - Naruki Morimura
- Wildlife Research Center, Kyoto University, Japan; Kumamoto Sanctuary, Kyoto University, Japan
| | - Miho Nagasawa
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, Japan
| | | | - Shinya Yamamoto
- Wildlife Research Center, Kyoto University, Japan; Institute for Advanced Study, Kyoto University, Japan
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11
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Wirobski G, Range F, Schaebs FS, Palme R, Deschner T, Marshall-Pescini S. Endocrine changes related to dog domestication: Comparing urinary cortisol and oxytocin in hand-raised, pack-living dogs and wolves. Horm Behav 2021; 128:104901. [PMID: 33245878 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2020.104901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Revised: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Dogs are exceptionally well adapted to life close to humans, and alterations in their endocrine system during the domestication process may be an underlying mechanism. In particular, it has been suggested that low circulating cortisol concentrations in conjunction with simultaneously high oxytocin concentrations may have resulted in dogs' increased docility ('selection for tameness' hypothesis) and heightened propensity to interact and form relationships with humans ('hypersociability' hypothesis) compared to wolves. To investigate this, we analyzed cortisol and oxytocin metabolite concentrations from urine samples of hand-raised, pack-living domestic dogs and their non-domestic relatives, grey wolves. Based on the hypotheses outlined above, we predicted lower cortisol but higher oxytocin concentrations in dogs than wolves. In contrast to our prediction, we found higher cortisol concentrations in dogs than wolves. However, oxytocin concentrations were higher in dogs compared to wolves although the effect was relatively small. Indeed, male dogs had the highest oxytocin concentrations while female dogs' oxytocin concentrations were comparable to wolves'. Feeding status, reproductive phase, and conspecific social interactions also significantly affected cortisol and oxytocin concentrations. Furthermore, we compared two methods of correcting for variable water content of urine samples. We discuss our results in light of physiological and behavioral changes during domestication and highlight the importance of accounting for confounding variables in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Wirobski
- Domestication Lab, Wolf Science Center, Konrad-Lorenz-Institute for Ethology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinaerplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
| | - F Range
- Domestication Lab, Wolf Science Center, Konrad-Lorenz-Institute for Ethology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinaerplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
| | - F S Schaebs
- University of Leipzig, ZLS, Prager Str. 34, 04317 Leipzig, Germany.
| | - R Palme
- Unit of Physiology, Pathophysiology and Experimental Endocrinology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinaerplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
| | - T Deschner
- Endocrinology Lab, Department of Primatology, Max-Planck-Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Deutscher Platz 6, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.
| | - S Marshall-Pescini
- Domestication Lab, Wolf Science Center, Konrad-Lorenz-Institute for Ethology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinaerplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria.
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12
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Wang M, Lin Y, Zhou S, Cui Y, Feng Q, Yan W, Xiang H. Genetic Mapping of Climbing and Mimicry: Two Behavioral Traits Degraded During Silkworm Domestication. Front Genet 2020; 11:566961. [PMID: 33391338 PMCID: PMC7773896 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2020.566961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Behavioral changes caused by domestication in animals are an important issue in evolutionary biology. The silkworm, Bombyx mori, is an ideal fully domesticated insect model for studying both convergent domestication and behavior evolution. We explored the genetic basis of climbing for foraging and mimicry, two degraded behaviors during silkworm domestication, in combination of bulked segregant analysis (BSA) and selection sweep screening. One candidate gene, ASNA1, located in the 3-5 Mb on chromosome 19, harboring a specific non-synonymous mutation in domestic silkworm, might be involved in climbing ability. This mutation was under positive selection in Lepidoptera, strongly suggesting its potential function in silkworm domestication. Nine candidate domesticated genes related to mimicry were identified on chromosomes 13, 21, and 27. Most of the candidate domesticated genes were generally expressed at higher levels in the brain of the wild silkworm. This study provides valuable information for deciphering the molecular basis of behavioral changes associated with silkworm domestication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Man Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yongjian Lin
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shiyi Zhou
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yong Cui
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qili Feng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wei Yan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biotechnology for Plant Development, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hui Xiang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology, Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
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Rosenfeld CS, Hekman JP, Johnson JL, Lyu Z, Ortega MT, Joshi T, Mao J, Vladimirova AV, Gulevich RG, Kharlamova AV, Acland GM, Hecht EE, Wang X, Clark AG, Trut LN, Behura SK, Kukekova AV. Hypothalamic transcriptome of tame and aggressive silver foxes (Vulpes vulpes) identifies gene expression differences shared across brain regions. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2019; 19:e12614. [PMID: 31605445 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Revised: 10/02/2019] [Accepted: 10/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The underlying neurological events accompanying dog domestication remain elusive. To reconstruct the domestication process in an experimental setting, silver foxes (Vulpes vulpes) have been deliberately bred for tame vs aggressive behaviors for more than 50 generations at the Institute for Cytology and Genetics in Novosibirsk, Russia. The hypothalamus is an essential part of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and regulates the fight-or-flight response, and thus, we hypothesized that selective breeding for tameness/aggressiveness has shaped the hypothalamic transcriptomic profile. RNA-seq analysis identified 70 differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Seven of these genes, DKKL1, FBLN7, NPL, PRIMPOL, PTGRN, SHCBP1L and SKIV2L, showed the same direction expression differences in the hypothalamus, basal forebrain and prefrontal cortex. The genes differentially expressed across the three tissues are involved in cell division, differentiation, adhesion and carbohydrate processing, suggesting an association of these processes with selective breeding. Additionally, 159 transcripts from the hypothalamus demonstrated differences in the abundance of alternative spliced forms between the tame and aggressive foxes. Weighted gene coexpression network analyses also suggested that gene modules in hypothalamus were significantly associated with tame vs aggressive behavior. Pathways associated with these modules include signal transduction, interleukin signaling, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction and peptide ligand-binding receptors (eg, G-protein coupled receptor [GPCR] ligand binding). Current studies show the selection for tameness vs aggressiveness in foxes is associated with unique hypothalamic gene profiles partly shared with other brain regions and highlight DEGs involved in biological processes such as development, differentiation and immunological responses. The role of these processes in fox and dog domestication remains to be determined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheryl S Rosenfeld
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri.,Biomedical Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri.,Thompson Center for Autism and Neurobehavioral Disorders, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri.,MU Informatics Institute, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
| | - Jessica P Hekman
- Department of Animal Sciences, College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois.,The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Jennifer L Johnson
- Department of Animal Sciences, College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois
| | - Zhen Lyu
- Department of Computer Science, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
| | - Madison T Ortega
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri.,Biomedical Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
| | - Trupti Joshi
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri.,MU Informatics Institute, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri.,Department of Computer Science, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri.,Department of Health Management and Informatics, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
| | - Jiude Mao
- Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri.,Biomedical Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
| | - Anastasiya V Vladimirova
- The Laboratory of Evolutionary Genetics, Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Rimma G Gulevich
- The Laboratory of Evolutionary Genetics, Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Anastasiya V Kharlamova
- The Laboratory of Evolutionary Genetics, Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Gregory M Acland
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, New York
| | - Erin E Hecht
- Department of Human Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Xu Wang
- Department of Pathobiology, Auburn University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn, Alabama
| | - Andrew G Clark
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
| | - Lyudmila N Trut
- The Laboratory of Evolutionary Genetics, Institute of Cytology and Genetics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Susanta K Behura
- MU Informatics Institute, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri.,Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
| | - Anna V Kukekova
- Department of Animal Sciences, College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois
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