Red fox genome assembly identifies genomic regions associated with tame and aggressive behaviors

Strains of red fox (Vulpes vulpes) with markedly different behavioral phenotypes have been developed in the famous long-term selective breeding program known as the Russian farm-fox experiment. Here we sequenced and assembled the red fox genome and re-sequenced a subset of foxes from the tame, aggressive, and conventional farm-bred populations to identify genomic regions associated with the response to selection for behavior. Analysis of the resequenced genomes identified 113 regions with either significantly decreased heterozygosity in one of the three populations or increased divergence between the populations. A strong positional candidate gene for tame behavior was highlighted: SorCS1, which encodes the main trafficking protein for AMPA glutamate receptors and neurexins and suggests a role for synaptic plasticity in fox domestication. Other regions identified as likely to have been under selection in foxes during domestication include genes implicated in human neurological disorders, in mouse behavior, and in dog domestication. The fox represents a powerful model for the genetic analysis of affiliative and aggressive behaviors that can benefit genetic studies of behavior in dogs and other mammals, including humans.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Bioinformatics

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2018

Author dc:creator

• Johnson, Jennifer L.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Kukekova, Anna V.
• Beever, Johnathan
• Rodriguez-Zas, Sandra

• Genomics
• Bioinformatics
• Vulpes vulpes

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2017 Jennifer Johnson

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/99248

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/99248