Genetic Variability Related Behavioral Plasticity in Pikeperch (<i>Sander lucioperca</i> L.) Fingerlings
Background: The relationship between genetic diversity and fitness is well understood, but few studies have investigated how behavior influences genetic diversity, or vice versa. We investigated the relationship between feeding behavior (on a pelleted diet) and genetic diversity in pikeperch, a pisc...
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MDPI AG
2025-07-01
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| author | Ildikó Benedek Béla Urbányi Balázs Kovács István Lehoczky Attila Zsolnai Tamás Molnár |
| author_facet | Ildikó Benedek Béla Urbányi Balázs Kovács István Lehoczky Attila Zsolnai Tamás Molnár |
| author_sort | Ildikó Benedek |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: The relationship between genetic diversity and fitness is well understood, but few studies have investigated how behavior influences genetic diversity, or vice versa. We investigated the relationship between feeding behavior (on a pelleted diet) and genetic diversity in pikeperch, a piscivorous species. Methods: A total of 135 juvenile pikeperch from the same stock were grouped into three behavioral groups: pellet consuming, pellet refusing, and cannibalistic. Eighteen microsatellite markers were used to characterize the genetic diversity and structure of individuals. Results: The juveniles were classified into two genetic clusters: one dominated by pellet-consuming individuals and the other by pellet-refusing individuals containing equal proportions of cannibal individuals. Three of the microsatellite markers were under selection, but only one showed significant genetic segregation between the groups. For this marker, the pellet consumption was associated with low fragment length. Individual multilocus heterozygosity was significantly higher in the pellet-refusing group. Conclusions: These results suggest that pellet consumption acts as an uncontrolled selective force during domestication, influencing the genetic variability of domesticated populations. The ability to habituate to pellets has a significant genetic basis. Cannibalism does not affect genetic variability, and the emergence of the trait is independent of the propensity to consume pellets. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-c3f7b402c1d94036a0b83f78d35eb811 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Animals |
| spelling | doaj-art-c3f7b402c1d94036a0b83f78d35eb8112025-08-20T03:36:01ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152025-07-011515222910.3390/ani15152229Genetic Variability Related Behavioral Plasticity in Pikeperch (<i>Sander lucioperca</i> L.) FingerlingsIldikó Benedek0Béla Urbányi1Balázs Kovács2István Lehoczky3Attila Zsolnai4Tamás Molnár5Department of Animal Breeding, Institute of Animal Breeding Sciences, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, H-7400 Kaposvár, HungaryAlbert Kázmér Faculty of Mosonmagyaróvár, University of Győr, Var Square 2., H-9200 Mosonmagyaróvár, HungaryDepartment of Molecular Ecology, Institute of Aquaculture and Environmental Safety, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, H-2100 Gödöllő, HungaryNational Centre for Biodiversity and Gene Conservation, Institute for Farm Animal Gene Conservation, H-2100 Gödöllő, HungaryDepartment of Animal Breeding, Institute of Animal Breeding Sciences, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, H-7400 Kaposvár, HungaryDepartment of Applied Fish Biology, Institute of Aquaculture and Environmental Safety, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, H-7400 Kaposvár, HungaryBackground: The relationship between genetic diversity and fitness is well understood, but few studies have investigated how behavior influences genetic diversity, or vice versa. We investigated the relationship between feeding behavior (on a pelleted diet) and genetic diversity in pikeperch, a piscivorous species. Methods: A total of 135 juvenile pikeperch from the same stock were grouped into three behavioral groups: pellet consuming, pellet refusing, and cannibalistic. Eighteen microsatellite markers were used to characterize the genetic diversity and structure of individuals. Results: The juveniles were classified into two genetic clusters: one dominated by pellet-consuming individuals and the other by pellet-refusing individuals containing equal proportions of cannibal individuals. Three of the microsatellite markers were under selection, but only one showed significant genetic segregation between the groups. For this marker, the pellet consumption was associated with low fragment length. Individual multilocus heterozygosity was significantly higher in the pellet-refusing group. Conclusions: These results suggest that pellet consumption acts as an uncontrolled selective force during domestication, influencing the genetic variability of domesticated populations. The ability to habituate to pellets has a significant genetic basis. Cannibalism does not affect genetic variability, and the emergence of the trait is independent of the propensity to consume pellets.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/15/2229pikeperchpellet consumptionneutral genetic diversityselectionmicrosatelliteindividual heterozygosity |
| spellingShingle | Ildikó Benedek Béla Urbányi Balázs Kovács István Lehoczky Attila Zsolnai Tamás Molnár Genetic Variability Related Behavioral Plasticity in Pikeperch (<i>Sander lucioperca</i> L.) Fingerlings Animals pikeperch pellet consumption neutral genetic diversity selection microsatellite individual heterozygosity |
| title | Genetic Variability Related Behavioral Plasticity in Pikeperch (<i>Sander lucioperca</i> L.) Fingerlings |
| title_full | Genetic Variability Related Behavioral Plasticity in Pikeperch (<i>Sander lucioperca</i> L.) Fingerlings |
| title_fullStr | Genetic Variability Related Behavioral Plasticity in Pikeperch (<i>Sander lucioperca</i> L.) Fingerlings |
| title_full_unstemmed | Genetic Variability Related Behavioral Plasticity in Pikeperch (<i>Sander lucioperca</i> L.) Fingerlings |
| title_short | Genetic Variability Related Behavioral Plasticity in Pikeperch (<i>Sander lucioperca</i> L.) Fingerlings |
| title_sort | genetic variability related behavioral plasticity in pikeperch i sander lucioperca i l fingerlings |
| topic | pikeperch pellet consumption neutral genetic diversity selection microsatellite individual heterozygosity |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/15/2229 |
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