Sex-Specific Genetic Architecture Of Behavioral Traits In A Spider

Abstract

Sex differences in behavioral traits are common, but we know little about the role of sexual selection in shaping these traits. Estimating sex-specific genetic effects and cross-sex genetic correlations can provide insights into sex-specific selection and on whether evolution can shape independent expression of behavioral traits across the sexes. We conducted a quantitative genetic study in a sexually-size-dimorphic spider, Larinioides sclopetarius, which exhibits sex differences in adult life-styles. We observed pedigreed spiders for aggression, activity, exploration and boldness, and used animal models to disentangle genetic and environmental influences on these behaviors. We detected higher additive genetic variances in activity and aggression in males compared to females, but no sex differences in quantitative genetic estimates for exploration and boldness. The estimated mean cross-sex genetic correlation in all traits were close to zero suggesting these traits could have flexibility for sex-independent evolution. We note however, that the 95% credible intervals of cross-sex genetic correlation are large, and thus estimates uncertain. Our results imply that individual variation in aggression and activity might stem from sex-specific selection acting on these traits. The estimates of sex-specific additive genetic variation and cross-sex genetic correlation suggests their further sex-independent evolution. Taken together, our results support the notion that sexual selection can play an important role shaping behavioral traits.