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The genetic basis of natural variation in a phoretic behavior

Author

Listed:
  • Daehan Lee

    (Seoul National University
    Northwestern University)

  • Heeseung Yang

    (Seoul National University)

  • Jun Kim

    (Seoul National University)

  • Shannon Brady

    (Northwestern University)

  • Stefan Zdraljevic

    (Northwestern University)

  • Mostafa Zamanian

    (Northwestern University
    University of Wisconsin-Madison)

  • Heekyeong Kim

    (Yonsei University)

  • Young-ki Paik

    (Yonsei University
    Yonsei University
    Yonsei University)

  • Leonid Kruglyak

    (University of California
    Howard Hughes Medical Institute)

  • Erik C. Andersen

    (Northwestern University)

  • Junho Lee

    (Seoul National University)

Abstract

Phoresy is a widespread form of commensalism that facilitates dispersal of one species through an association with a more mobile second species. Dauer larvae of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans exhibit a phoretic behavior called nictation, which could enable interactions with animals such as isopods or snails. Here, we show that natural C. elegans isolates differ in nictation. We use quantitative behavioral assays and linkage mapping to identify a genetic locus (nict-1) that mediates the phoretic interaction with terrestrial isopods. The nict-1 locus contains a Piwi-interacting small RNA (piRNA) cluster; we observe that the Piwi Argonaute PRG-1 is involved in the regulation of nictation. Additionally, this locus underlies a trade-off between offspring production and dispersal. Variation in the nict-1 locus contributes directly to differences in association between nematodes and terrestrial isopods in a laboratory assay. In summary, the piRNA-rich nict-1 locus could define a novel mechanism underlying phoretic interactions.

Suggested Citation

  • Daehan Lee & Heeseung Yang & Jun Kim & Shannon Brady & Stefan Zdraljevic & Mostafa Zamanian & Heekyeong Kim & Young-ki Paik & Leonid Kruglyak & Erik C. Andersen & Junho Lee, 2017. "The genetic basis of natural variation in a phoretic behavior," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 8(1), pages 1-7, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:8:y:2017:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-017-00386-x
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-00386-x
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