Phylogenetic conservation of behavioural variation and behavioural syndromes

Abstract

Individuals frequently differ consistently from one another in their average behaviours (i.e. 'animal personality') and in correlated suites of consistent behavioural responses (i.e. 'behavioural syndromes'). However, understanding the evolutionary basis of this (co)variation has lagged behind demonstrations of its presence. This lag partially stems from comparative methods rarely being used in the field. Consequently, much of the research on animal personality has relied on 'adaptive stories' focused on single species and populations. Here, we used a comparative approach to examine the role of phylogeny in shaping patterns of average behaviours, behavioural variation and behavioural correlations. In comparing the behaviours and behavioural variation for five species of Gryllid crickets, we found that phylogeny shaped average behaviours and behavioural (co)variation. Despite differences among species, behavioural responses and variation were most similar among more closely related species. These results suggest that phylogenetic constraints play an important role in the expression of animal personalities and behavioural syndromes and emphasize the importance of examining evolutionary explanations within a comparative framework.

Biological invasions as a selective filter driving behavioral divergence

“…For each behavior (exploration, activity, and boldness), we compared the fit of four univariate generalized linear mixed-effects models with different random-effect structures to determine whether regions differed in both average-level trait expression and trait variation, in line with previously established methods 42 , 71 – 73 . More specifically, we created a set of four candidate models for each behavior that either hold or allow variances to differ between regions (see Supplementary Tables 3 – 5 ).…”

Interspecific variation in the defensive responses of brown frogs to alien predators

“…While available information on the response of anuran larvae to alien predators does not allow to draw general conclusions, local and evolutionary historical factors affecting interactions at community level, the role played by co-evolution in shaping current cue-response patterns asks for the application of a phylogenetic approach to test whether clades are more prone to show similar defensive behaviors. This approach has been rarely used, but phylogeny has been reported to shape the response of Gryllid crickets to cues of predator presence (Dalos et al, 2022). Agile frogs Rana dalmatina and Rana latastei diverged from the "Rana temporaria group" in the early Pliocene (Veith et al, 2003); thus, phylogenetic constraints might have contributed to shape the two distinct behavioral patterns observed, a hypothesis that warrants further investigation.…”

Chronic exposure to predator cues fails to elicit plastic responses or transgenerational effects in banded crickets

“…Consistent with this, G. sigillatus , exhibit increased activity and decreased propensity to emerge from shelter following direct and acute exposure to leopard geckos (Bucklaew and Dochtermann 2020). Likewise, when in the presence of predator cues, related species show increased activity (Royauté and Dochtermann 2017, Dalos et al 2022). We conducted behavioral assays of the F 0 generation between May 2019 and July 2019 and between August 2019 and October 2019 for the F 1 generation.…”