DRD4 allele frequencies in greylag geese vary between urban and rural sites. Issue 2 (8th February 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mai, Sabrina; Wittor, Caroline; Merker, Stefan; Woog, Friederike
• Is Part Of: Ecology and evolution. Volume 13:Issue 2(2023)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2023-02-08
• Subjects: Anser anser -- behavior/social evolution -- candidate gene -- flight initiation distance -- greylag geese -- urbanization; Ecology -- Periodicals; Evolution -- Periodicals; 577.05
• DOI: 10.1002/ece3.9811
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2045-7758

Abstract

Abstract: With the increasing urbanization of the last decades, more and more bird species occur in urban habitats. Birds which thrive in urban habitats often have a higher tolerance toward human disturbance and show behaviors which differ from their rural counterparts. There is increasing evidence that many behaviors have a genetic basis. One candidate gene is the dopamine receptor D4 (DRD4), which has been associated with fear and thus, flight initiation distance (FID). In this study, we analyzed a segment of DRD4 in greylag geese Anser anser, describing the variability of this gene across several geographically distant populations, and comparing its variability between an urban and a rural site in south–west Germany. We additionally measured FIDs of urban and rural geese to test for a possible correlation with DRD4 genotypes. We found a high variation within DRD4, with 10 variable sites leading to 11 alleles and 35 genotypes. Two genotypes occurred in 60% of all geese and were thus defined as common genotypes versus 33 rare genotypes. Population differentiation was very low between the urban and rural sites in Germany but common genotypes occurred more often in the urban area and rare genotypes more often in the rural area. FID was significantly higher at the rural site, but no significant correlation between FID and DRD4 genotypes could be detected. Nevertheless, our results suggest that local site selection may be related to DRD4 genotypes. Abstract : There is increasing evidence that the dopamine receptor D4 (DRD4) influences fear and thus, flight initiation distance (FID). We compared greylag geese living in an urban and a rural site and found that common DRD4 genotypes occurred more often in urban sites while rare genotypes occurred more often in the rural site. FID was significantly higher at the rural site, but no significant correlation between FID and DRD4 genotypes could be detected.