Genetics and the Behavior of Domestic Animals

Genetics and the Behavior of Domestic Animals, Third Edition offers the latest and most valuable information on animal science and behavioral genetics, carrying on the book’s legacy since its original publication in 1998. This book synthesizes research from behavioral genetics and animal and veterinary science, bridging the gap between these fields. The objective is to show that principles of behavioral genetics have practical applications to agricultural and companion animals.

The continuing domestication of animals is a complex process whose myriad impacts on animal behavior are commonly under-appreciated. Genetic factors play a significant role in both species-specific behaviors and behavioral differences exhibited by individuals in the same species. Leading authorities explore the impact of increased intensities of selection on domestic animal behavior. Rodents, cattle, pigs, sheep, horses, herding and guard dogs, and poultry are all included in these discussions of genetics and behavior, making this book useful to veterinarians, livestock producers, laboratory animal researchers and technicians, animal trainers and breeders, and any researcher interested in animal behavior.

Genetics and the Behavior of Domestic Animals, Third Edition
is the most valuable resource for researchers and practitioners in animal and veterinary science, animal behavior, genetics, ethology, and similar fields. Advanced undergraduate and graduate students in these disciplines will also benefit from the global expertise featured in this newest edition.

Cover image
Title page
Table of Contents
Copyright
List of contributors
Preface
Chapter 1. Behavioral genetics and animal science
Abstract
Introduction
Genetics shapes behavior
Genetic effects of domestication
Basic genetic mechanisms
Single-nucleotide polymorphisms
Repeats
Copy number variations
Jumping genes
Coding DNA
Noncoding DNA, also called regulatory DNA
Exome
RNA transcriptome
De novo mutations
Quantitative trait loci
Haplotypes
Epigenetics
Lamarckism
Brain genetics more complex than other traits
A brief historical review of animal behavior study
Behaviorism
Instincts versus learning
Ethology
Ethology and behaviorism provide tools to study emotions and behaviors
Neuroscience and behavior
Emotional systems motivate behavior
Confusion of emotional systems may confound studies
Genetics and emotional systems
Interactions between genetics and experience
Interactions between instinctual hard-wired behavior and experience
The paradox of novelty
Reaction to novelty
Genetic factors and the need for novelty
Temperament is not just about fear
Species differences in emotional reactions to similar tests
Biological basis of fear
Fearfulness and the mothering instinct conflict
Nervous system reactivity changed by the environment
Taming does not change nervous system reactivity
Domestic versus wild and fear responses
Neoteny
Overselection for specific traits
Overselection in livestock
Links between different traits
Transgenic mice
Random factors and noninherited effects on variation
Concluding thoughts
References
Further reading
Chapter 2. Behavioral genetics and animal domestication
Abstract
Definition of domestication
The domesticated phenotype
Evolutionary mechanisms in domestication
Genetic mechanisms in domestication
The role of hybridization in domestication
Genetic architecture of domestication
What types of mutations cause the domestic phenotype?
Copy number variation
Mapping genes for behavior—top-down approaches
Mapping genes for behavior—bottom-up approaches
Effects of specific mutations
Epigenetics
Closing remarks
References
Chapter 3. How studying interactions between animal emotions, cognition, and personality can contribute to improve farm animal welfare
Abstract
Preface to “How studying interactions between animal emotions, cognition, and personality can contribute to improve farm animal welfare” by Dr. Temple Grandin
References
Introduction
Do animals feel emotions?
Influence of cognitive processes on emotions
Alteration of the judgment and decision-making by emotions
Animal individuality in emotions: the concept of personality
Individual variability in emotional behaviors
Consistency of fear-related responses across different frightening situations
Consistency of fear-related responses over time
Personality as a complex intermediate variable
Pre-existing characteristics of temperament
A concept of positive welfare based on positive experiences
Genetics and selective breeding for alleviating negative emotions
Eliciting positive emotions by enriching the environment and management
Environmental enrichment
Positive human contact and training programs
Cognitive enrichment: a new approach based on the animals’ appraisal abilities
Promoting positive experiences to mitigate negative experiences and to improve animal welfare and health
Conclusion
References
Chapter 4. Genetics and behavior during handling, restraint, and herding
Abstract
Introduction
Principles of herd behavior
Visual and auditory senses
Differences in the strength of herding behavior of cattle and sheep
Social behavior and handling
Flight zone
Working the flight zone
Measuring temperament in livestock
Tests originally designed to measure fearfulness in cattle
Tests that measure separation distress, fear, and seeking
Other behavioral indicators which may indicate genetic differences in fear
Effect of pig genetics on behavior during handling
Lean, rapid-growing pigs are more excitable
Behavior problems in crossbred beef cattle during the 1990s
Animal size, body shape, coat color, and temperament
Body type and temperament in domestic animals
Type and temperament in wild herd animals
Coat color and temperament
Hair whorls
Hair whorl height and vigilance
The effects of early experience on handling
Effects of environment and experience on pigs
Excellent memory of aversive experiences
Training highly reactive animals by introducing novelty gradually
Innate nervous fearfulness or reaction to separation stress
Facilitating animal movement in handling facilities
Genetic effects on handling facility design
Conclusion
References
Further Reading
Chapter 5. Reproductive and maternal behavior of livestock
Abstract
General introduction
Evolution and domestication
Maternal behavior
Selected areas of concern
Conclusion
References
Chapter 6. Factors influencing the expression of behavior in the domestic dog
Abstract
Introduction
Nature
Nurture
Conclusions
References
Chapter 7. From mind to genome: the effect of domestication on dog cognition and genetics
Abstract
Cognitively remarkable
The domestication hypothesis
Domesticated foxes
Comparing wolves and dogs
What genetic mechanism did evolution target?
Different types of cognition?
The opportunity to investigate the genetics of breed differences
Heritable forms of cognition?
Applications
Conclusion
Acknowledgments
References
Chapter 8. Genetics of domesticated behavior in dogs and foxes
Abstract
The dog is the first domesticated species
Dogs are more competent than wolves in social interaction with humans
Analysis of temperament traits in dogs
The farm-fox experiment
Selection of foxes for tame behavior
Selection of foxes for aggressive behavior
Behavioral and physiological changes associated with selection for tame behavior
Genetics of fox behavior
What the farm-fox experiment tells us about behavior
Summary
Acknowledgments
References
Further reading
Chapter 9. Behavioral genetics in pigs and relations to welfare
Abstract
Introduction
Pig behavior
Farm Animal Welfare Council’s five freedoms
New phenotypes with new technologies
Pig behavior and sustainable production
Concluding remarks
References
Chapter 10. Behavior genetics of the horse (Equus caballus)
Abstract
Introduction
Molecular behavior genetics
Genetic differences interact with environment
The effects of early experience on behavior
Prenatal effects on behavior
Early postnatal effects on behavior induced by handling
Long-term effects of early intensive handling
Early postnatal period
Six months old
Seven months old (weaning)
One year old
A nonintrusive neonatal handling method
Factors affecting attachment to humans
Mare behavior and human behavior influence foal behavior
Serotonin genes and maternal behavior
Training foals to accept handling
Wearing a halter and hoof handling
Subtle individual differences
More factors that affecting bonding with humans
Genetics and temperament: origins and outcomes
Temperament tests
The relationship between hair whorls and behavior
Personal observations
Hair whorls and side preferences
Hair whorls, temperament, side preference, and environmental interactions
The paradox of double hair whorls
The hair whorls position is highly heritable
Many traits are conserved
A Predisposition to pathology?
The science of hair whorls in humans
Hair whorls in cattle
Hair whorls in horses
Increase of double whorls in racing and jumping horses
Hair whorl height and reactivity in horses
Lateralization in the nervous system
Laterality in horses
Motor asymmetry
Sensory laterality
Auditory and olfactory laterality
Hemispheric dominance
Hair whorl patterns and lateralization
Chronic asymmetry
Experience-dependent lateralized learning
Switching sides
Conclusion
References
Further reading
Chapter 11. Genetic selection of poultry to improve welfare
Abstract
Preface to genetic selection of poultry for behavioral traits to improve welfare by Temple Grandin
References
Preface by the authors from the second edition
Introduction
Pharmacology
Surgery
Ontogeny
Genetic selection
Selection procedure
Selection results
Stability of the selection results
Fear reactions
Social behavior
Stress reactions
Neurobiology
Conclusions
References
Additional reading studies published since the first edition
Chapter 12. Genetic influences on the behavior of chickens associated with welfare and productivity
Abstract
Preface to genetic influences on the behavior of chickens associated with welfare and productivity by Temple Grandin
References
Introduction
Assessment of welfare
Criteria of welfare
Physiological and immune responses
Functional genomics
Productivity
Behavior
General
Domestication and behavior
Genetic versus environmental influences
Behavioral differences among populations
Inbreeding depression and random genetic drift
Mendelian traits
Selection involving behavioral traits
Broodiness
Stereotyped pacing during the prelaying period
Feather and cannibalistic pecking
Agonistic behavior
Mating behavior of males
Appetite
Walking problems and tibial dyschondroplasia
Fear-associated behavior
Open-field activity
Tonic immobility
Escape and avoidance (“flighty”) behavior
Potential problems with selection on behavioral traits
Selection involving production traits
The environment of selection
Multilevel selection
Group selection experiments
Conclusions from group-selection studies
Multilevel selection experiments
General conclusions
References
Further reading
Chapter 13. Genetics and animal welfare
Abstract
Introduction
Aggression in pigs
Tail biting in pigs
Savaging in sows
Feather pecking in hens
Effects of overselection in cattle and pigs
Muscle growth and welfare
Porcine stress syndrome and leg problems in pigs
Problems caused by genetic selection for appetite
Importance of roughage feeds
Movement restriction versus feed restriction
Nervous system abnormalities due to selective breeding for specific behaviors
Inherited neurological defects
Nervous defects in rodents and small mammals
Depigmentation patterns and the nervous system
Depigmentation, behavior, and defects
Fluctuating asymmetry and genetic problems
Welfare and genetic selection
Transgenic animals used to study human neurological disorders
Unexpected linked traits
Speculations of genetic engineering
Genetic diversity
Ethical questions
The farm versus the laboratory
References
Further reading
Index

Life Sciences

Physical Sciences & Engineering

Social Sciences & Humanities

Health

Genetics and the Behavior of Domestic Animals

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Temple Grandin