NIH findings may help researchers understand how genomic variation can affect behavioral differences in humans. Credit: Julia Fekecs, NHGRI
Key Points:
- Results showed that the genes related to some dog lineages might be evident in the genes that influence the behaviors of other species, such as humans.
- Canine genetic diversity is associated with neurodevelopmental gene co-expression
- The research studies genomic data from 4,000 dogs and behavioral data from 46,000 dogs.
Research has unraveled how human practices may have influenced dogs’ behavior. National Institutes of Health researchers have shown that areas of the genome related to brain development harbor variants that may account for behavioral differences among different dog lineages.
The research, published in Cell, used DNA samples and surveys collected from dog owners around the world. The study sampled genomic data from over 4,000 domestic, semi-feral and wild dogs. Additionally, behavioral data from 46,000 dogs collected from a University of Pennsylvania study investigated traits such as energy, apprehension toward strangers, and trainability.
“We identified 10 major canine lineages and behavioral traits that correlate with these lineages. By looking at the most heavily selected breeds, we can see how each lineage of dog breeds is unique in its genomic variation and behavior,” said Elaine Ostrander, chief of the Cancer Genetics and Comparative Genomics Branch within the National Human Genome Research Institute.
“One of the most surprising findings was that many of the genomic changes that define the major dog lineages can also be found in modern wolves. This indicates that humans co-opted ancient variations among wild ancestors of dogs to create unique types of dogs suited for performing specific tasks,” said Dutrow.
For years, selective breeding conducted by humans has shaped how dogs adapt to different tasks, such as hunting and herding. This may explain how, for instance, sheepdogs can herd with minimal training.
Additionally, the researchers say some of the genes associated with the different dog lineages may relate to genes that are involved in behavior of other species, such as humans. These results suggest that dogs and humans may have similar biological pathways that give rise to the range of differences in brain function and behavior found within a species.