Considering behaviour in genetic sampling – a case study with grey seals
Genetic variations are increasingly linked to intra-specific behavioural variations. Advancing our knowledge of behavioural genetics could make screening populations for genetic polymorphisms associated with behavioural variations possible. Genetic-behaviour links have been increasingly discovered in terrestrial mammals, but there are few comparable studies in marine mammals. Developing efficient and cost-effective genetic sampling techniques is essential to allow more studies on behavioural genetics in lesser researched marine mammals. This study explores the potential of a sampling technique, still in its infancy in marine mammal studies, that has potential to cause minimal stress to the animals. Buccal swabs were tested in a group of grey seals in a rehabilitation centre. The swabs showed potential for being able to carry out individual genotype analysis to identify polymorphisms; a SNP in the grey seal DRD4 gene not previously reported in any other studies was found. However, some inconsistent results from PCR amplification and Sanger sequencing suggest that further technical development is necessary before it can be reliably used in an efficient way and not cause stress to wild individuals. The role of behaviour in influencing genetic studies is also discussed in this study. Haul-out site preferences have been shown in the literature to create separate genetically-distinct populations in small geographical ranges. This study suggests individual haul-out site preferences as a consideration in genetic studies in pinnipeds in order to collect samples that are representative of the whole population. Preferences in the same grey seals were observed using an ethogram. There were consistent differences between individuals in their use of haul-out zones at the rescue centre. This may indicate behavioural variation could be interesting to capture and shouldn’t be overlooked when designing sampling methodology. Suggestions are made for individual characteristics, such as injury and personality, to be accounted for where possible when conducting genetic studies.
Behaviour, Genetics, Buccal Swab, DRD4, Haul-out, Preference, Grey Seal, Site Fidelity
Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations