Research Article

Heterozygosity–behavior and heterozygosity–fitness correlations in a salamander with limited dispersal

Published: 2018-7

Journal: Population Ecology

DOI: 10.1007/s10144-017-0604-3

Abstract

Inbreeding and genetic drift can decrease genetic heterozygosity, and this low heterozygosity can depress fitness, resulting in heterozygosity–fitness correlations (HFCs). HFCs are typically small in magnitude, a result often attributed to power of the analyses. Animal behaviors often affect fitness and are often heritable to some degree. We hypothesized that heterozygosity influences behavior, which, in turn, potentially influences fitness. Specifically, in red‐backed salamanders,Plethodon cinereus, which have limited dispersal and the potential for inbreeding, we tested whether heterozygosity, as estimated from six microsatellite loci, affected home range size, juvenile growth, and survival. We found that salamanders with higher heterozygosity had larger home ranges and grew faster, which is indicative of reproductive success. However, we found no effects of heterozygosity on survival. We conclude that, because activity inP. cinereusis tightly linked to food uptake and mass gain, heterozygosity influences growth via effects on foraging behavior. Future research should investigate how the relationship between heterozygosity, behavior, and fitness may be affected or mediated by endocrine or immune systems.

Faculty Members

  • Tamar C. Roomian - Tufts University School of Dental Medicine 02111 Boston MA USA
  • Gina M. Dolezar - Department of Biological Sciences Salisbury University Henson Science Hall 230E 21801 Salisbury MD USA
  • Christian F. Kramer - Department of Biological Sciences Salisbury University Henson Science Hall 230E 21801 Salisbury MD USA
  • Paul R. Cabe - Department of Biology Washington and Lee University 24450 Lexington VA USA
  • Eric B. Liebgold - Department of Biological Sciences Salisbury University Henson Science Hall 230E 21801 Salisbury MD USA

Themes

  • Behavioral ecology
  • Inbreeding and genetic drift effects
  • Heterozygosity-fitness correlations
  • Impact of foraging behavior on growth
  • Genetic diversity and fitness

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