Behavioral Genetics, Genomics, and Animal Communication Flashcards

Flashcards on behavioral genetics, genomics, bioinformatics, and communication in animal behavior.

__ is the study of how genes and the environment interact to shape behavior.

Behavioral genetics

__ refers to an individual's observed behavior.

Phenotype

__ is the genetic blueprint for a resulting visible phenotype.

Genotype

__ is the interaction of how genes respond to the environment.

Gene-environment interaction (GEI)

A __ is a highly stereotyped behavior that, once triggered, runs to completion with little to no variation.

Fixed Action Pattern (FAP)

__ is useful in behavioral genetics because it amplifies sections of DNA to detect genomes of interest, creating enough material to see and quantify.

PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction)

__ quantifies the amount of DNA present in a sample in real time, spotlighting and measuring the activity of specific genes in the genome.

qPCR (Real-Time PCR)

__ separates DNA by size to identify specific DNA markers.

Gel Electrophoresis

__ looks for tiny differences in the genetic code between two individuals and can indicate a susceptibility to disease.

SNP (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism)

__ are repetitive, non-coding DNA sequences that freely mutate and are highly polymorphic, making them useful for detecting variation in alleles and relatedness.

Microsatellites

__ involves statistically identifying gene associations with a trait in unrelated individuals, scanning the entire genome to find genetic variants associated with traits.

GWAS (Genome-Wide Association Studies)

__ combines genetic information with trait information to detect which regions of the genome contain genes that influence a trait, often used within families or crosses.

QTL (Quantitative Trait Loci) Mapping

__ disable a gene to study what happens when that gene is not working, helping to understand its function.

Knockout Methods

__ is more precise and versatile than knockout methods, allowing researchers to rewrite the genetic code of a specific spot in the genome, enabling specific gene function studies.

CRISPR-Cas9

An __ is a record of observed behaviors with notes, creating an objective record of behavioral differences.

Ethogram

__ analyzes and interprets biological data, focusing on genetic and genomic information.

Bioinformatics

An __ depicts differentially expressed genes in two experimental conditions, commonly used in bioinformatics.

MA plot

The __ includes identifying genes associated with behavior by comparing individuals or species with and without the behavior of interest.

comparative genomics

__ help trace the evolutionary origins of behaviors and their genetic bases.

Phylogenetic trees

__ influence neurological development and behavior if they affect genes expressed in the brain.

Frameshift mutations

__ is a specialized signal produced by an individual that influences the behavior of another individual.

Communication

A __ is passive information not evolved for communication but still useful to others.

Cue

__ are sensory receptors that smell (olfaction) or they detect dissolved chems transmitted readily thru air/war (gustation)

Chemoreceptor

__ are (Volatile/gaseous) compounds specific to species intended to effect member of same species

Pheromones

How does traffic alter bird songs?

Adapt birds's songs to be heard over traffic. Higher frequency. Less effective at defending territories

performed by a scout bee to direct to food and Waggle, this type of dance, requires __ from elders.

social learning

Costly Signals are expensive to produce, so reflect the or .

quality, condition

__ are bold standout colors that warn predators against eating them as honest signals linked to chem expenses or toxicity.

Aposematic coloration

Signals intended for one receiver are picked up by others during a signaling situation. This is called __

eavesdropping

What does it mean if a trait is highly heritable?

Trait varies with genotype. Highly genetic basis.

What are the key questions of behavioral genetics?

1)Is the behavior inherited? 2)What genes are involved? 3)How does environment influence gene expression?

What are 3 key aspects of innate behaviors?

1)Perform the same way every time. 2)Fully expressed the first time

3)Still appear even if raised in isolation

How is reflex different from FAP?

Reflexes are simple, automatic responses to stimuli, while Fixed Action Patterns (FAPs) are complex, sequence of behaviors triggered by specific stimuli and performed to completion.

How does graylag goose egg-retrieval demonstrate genetic control over behavior?

The graylag goose exhibits a fixed action pattern (FAP) where it retrieves eggs that are displaced from the nest; this behavior is instinctive and occurs without prior learning, highlighting the genetic basis for such innate behaviors. Also occur to completion if remove stimuli like egg

How does PCR differ from qPCR? When would you use each one?

PCR is a technique for amplifying DNA segments, while qPCR quantitatively measures DNA amplification in real-time during the PCR process. PCR is ideal for generating sufficient DNA for analysis, while qPCR is used for quantifying gene expression or viral load.

How to read gel electrophoresis

Gel electrophoresis separates DNA fragments by size. Smaller fragments move faster and farther through the gel than larger fragments. The gel is stained, and DNA bands are visualized under UV light. Analyzing the band patterns allows you to determine the sizes of the DNA fragments and assess the success of PCR.

What did genetic analysis of California condors reveal about parthenogenesis?

Genetic analysis showed that California condors can reproduce via parthenogenesis, a form of asexual reproduction where offspring develop from unfertilized eggs, revealing insights into their reproductive biology and genetic diversity. All microsatellites were identical at all 21 loci.

What are quantitative trait loci?

Quantitative trait loci (QTL) are segments of DNA that correlate with a trait.

What is the difference in populations between GWAS and QTL Mapping? What are the pros and cons of each?

GWAS (Genome-Wide Association Studies) examines genetic variants across populations to identify associations with complex traits, often using a large number of diverse individuals. QTL mapping studies analyze specific populations to identify regions of the genome associated with quantitative traits, providing detailed insights. GWAS=wider range of genetic variation but more data to sift thru. QTL mapping=focused analysis with less genetic variation but provides precise localization of genetic factors.

What physiological and behavioral traits were observed in domesticated silver foxes?

Domesticated silver foxes exhibit traits such as reduced fear and aggression, increased sociability, and altered physiological features like changes in coat color, ear floppy ears, and curly tails. These changes have resulted from selective breeding for tameness and domestication.

What does silver fox experiment provide evidence for?

domestication syndrome

What is the HPG axis and how is it affected by stress?

The HPG axis (Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal axis) is a complex set of interactions between the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and gonads, regulating reproductive hormones and functions. H→GnRH, P→ FSH, LH, Gonads→ Estrogen, testosterone. Stress can disrupt this axis by altering hormone levels, and cause the release of GnIH.

What is GnIH, what does it do, and how is it triggered.

GnIH (Gonadotropin-Inhibitory Hormone) is a hormone that inhibits the release of FSH and LH, thus reducing reproductive hormone levels and activity. It is triggered by stress

What is one advantage of RNAseq over qPCR?

RNAseq read activity level of entire transcriptome. qPCR only looks at a few predefined genes.

What is a transcriptome?

Complete set of ACTIVE genes in given tissueat a specific time.

What is transcriptome assembly?

Comprehensive catalogue of all RNA transcripts in a tissue at a sp time

How is HPG axis tracked overtime in Callisi lab?

Looked at 11 diff stages over course of parental care

How did removing/replacing eggs and chicks test hypothesis of cause of changes in gene expression in pigeon parents?

See if changes are from internal clock not affected by changing stimuli or if changes are externally cued.

What are some pros and cons of transcriptomic analysis?

Pros: lots of data. look at entire genome

Cons: data hard to process, still limited in scope of analysis, tools not specific enough and may lose some power, leading to missed changes in gene expression. More subtle differences missed.

Why is it more difficult to link behaviors to genes than physical traits?

1)Pleiotropy: single gene may contribute to multiple behavioral and physical phenotypes

2)Behavior is more variableand context-dependent, making it harder to isolate specific genetic influences.

3) Behavior may be polygenic, making it difficult to pinpoint exact genetic contributions.

What is pleiotropy?

Pleiotropy is the phenomenon where a single gene influences multiple, distinct traits or phenotypes, impacting both behavioral and physical characteristics.

What is polygenic?

Polygenic refers to a trait that is influenced by multiple genes, each contributing to the overall phenotype and complicating the genetic basis of that trait.

How can researchers use GWAS to study behavior?

Researchers can use Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) to identify genetic variants associated with specific behaviors by analyzing the genomes of large populations and correlating genetic variation with observed behavioral traits.

How does recombination play a role in GWAS?

Genomic loci inherited in chunks with no fine shuffling. Preserves linkages between local variation. Find shared markers among genotypes that share phenotype.

How do you determine important markers mathematically?

Get ratio of correlated vs not correlated.

A) case individual with variant

B) control individual with variant.

X) case individual without variant

Y) control individual without variant

(A/B)/(X/Y) Want large A/small B, Want large Y/small X

What are some challenges of studying polygenic behavioral traits?

Many genes interact to produce final phenotype. Not fully understand how gene interact. Complex genomic encoding.

How can comparative genomics between species help us understand the evolution of behavior?

1) Look at genomes of similarly related sp with different genotypes

2) infer ancestral and derived traits

3) Find common variation between species not present in other closely related species → start linking phenotypes

4) Identify genes associated with specific behaviors

What is a potential relationship between behavior and morphology as seen in screwtail phenotype?

The screwtail phenotype in certain species exhibits a direct relationship between morphology and behavioral traits, where specific physical structures can influence mating behavior and social interactions, potentially driving evolutionary changes.

Morphology and behavior may be closely linked → pleiotropy

Why be cautious when interpreting associations between genes and behavior?

correlation not equal causation

behavior complex and shaped by many factors

How can de-extinction efforts fail to recreate behavior?

1) lack environmental context

2) pick and choose edits with off target effects → pleiotropy

3) behavior often polygenic

How does bioinformatics help find behaviorally relevant mutations?

1) Able to see how genes interact

2) Identify gen expression changes, variants, and mutations

3) Help interpret big data sets

How do you read a Manhattan Plot?

Higher the peak, the greater the association between variants and phenotypes.

Multiple peaks = pleiotropy

What types of experiments strengthen conclusions about gene behavior links?

Molecular manipulations looking for causation

How does genetic complexity of behavior inform our understanding of evolution?

Behavior evolved from small changes to many genes shaped by selection on developmental pathways

What is a signal?

intentionally evolved communication mean to alter the behavior of another

What is the difference between a cue and a signal?

A signal is intentional. A cue is not evolved for communication but useful to others. Think mating call vs bird circling prey.

What are the different types of sensory receptors on skin (4)?

thermoreceptors: heat

nociceptors: pain

meissen’s: fine touch

Pacinian corpuscles: pressure

What do smell (olfaction) and taste (gustation) detect?

volatile (gaseous) compounds

How are pheromones used for pest control? How better than traditional insecticides?

Spread thruout orchard, confuse males who can’t find females. Specific, nontoxic, not develop resistance unlike traditional insecticides.

Rods vs Cones?

Rods: peripheral and low light vision

Cones: color

Difference in color vision among diff species

Bees: see more UV for flowers

Shrimp: way more cones but see less color

Tetrachromacy and beyond

Some humans have 4 cones → diff among ind

Mantis shrimp have 12

What are electroreceptors?

specialized cells that detect electric current that help with species identification, finding mates, and signaling

What species have electroreceptors?

Rare land: Echidna, bees

common water: fish, dolphins, platypus

What is electric organ discharge? EODs

specialized evolved organs that produce electricity

How are EODs used for hunting, communication, and signaling? strong vs weak

strong EOD: stun or paralyze prey

weak EOD: communication with others, territory signaling, detect prey

How is waggle dance evidence for animal culture?

social learning, passed down between gens, differs btwn populations. Distance need to be taught

Why need to rule out body size as confounding variable for using EOD to determine resource holding potential?

If EOD result of body size only, then cue. If use EOD to signal that will win fight, then signal.

What is an alarm call?

unique vocalization when predator nearby

Why is predator specific alarm calls big deal in vervet monkeys?

shows evidence for symbolism and beginnings of language

How is lizard color example of communication by females on mate selection?

Color indicates health (bright vs dull with parasites) and fertility (red=ovulation, other continuous colors change throughout cycle)

How determine if behavior is innate, learned, or culturally transmitted?

innate: behavior same across all ind and done in isolation

learned: requires presence of elders

culture: learned from elders and different between pops

What makes a signal costly?

expensive to produce or maintain. May negatively affect fitness. Can’t survive long if faking it.

What three main reasons keep signal honest?

1) signaler and receiver share fitness interest

2) Signal cant be faked → tied to genetics

3) Costly to produce or maintain, making deception less likely.

What are the 3 hypothesis for aposematism evolution?

1) pre-adaptation: Prey already had defense and developed colors to remind predators to avoid them

2) Gradual Evolution: evolved gradually from subtle to striking. Gives time to evolve and predator still able to learn

3) Group advantage: Safety in numbers. Group exposure spreads risk, and predator learn to avoid group if eat one.

What is courtship signaling?

Visual, chemical, acoustic, or behavioral signal to attract mates

What is the purpose of courtship signaling?

increase mating success by influencing partners choice

What is the relationship between spider condition and courtship display?

Better condition = more courtship in all trials. Courted low females less.

How did spider mate choice affect offspring

more, sturdy offspring from high condition male

Difference between supporting hypothesis and prediction?

Hypothesis: There is a difference. If see difference, support

Prediction: How difference manifest. Which one greater?

Can support H but not support P

When are signals faked?

Signaler and receiver have different fitness goals

Describe the co-evolutionary arms race of deception signaling

signalers evolve to manipulate behavior. receivers evolve better traits to detect deception. feedback loop driver rapid, ongoing evolution

How does deception signaling play into red queen hypothesis?

Constant evolution of both parties needed to maintain position

Ex evo arms race with mimicry

1) pred learn avoid toxic

2) prey learn mimic toxic

3) pred get better at finding mimic

4) prey get better at mimic

Batesian mimicry. Ex?

harmless species mimic harmful species. Harmless salamander look like harmful newt

batesian test in scrub jays results and how test

longest latency: toxic shortest: harmless Mimic had intermediate showing effectiveness of batesian mimic

Used naive jays:

D1) harmless

D2) Toxic

D3) Toxic or mimic

D4) opposite D3

What is Mullerian mimicry? ex?

two toxic species with common predator mimic each others warning signals. Monarch and Viceroy butterflies look alike and both noxious.