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The genetic basis of parental care evolution in monogamous mice

Author

Listed:
  • Andres Bendesky

    (Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University
    Harvard University
    Harvard University)

  • Young-Mi Kwon

    (Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University
    Harvard University)

  • Jean-Marc Lassance

    (Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University
    Harvard University
    Harvard University)

  • Caitlin L. Lewarch

    (Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University
    Harvard University)

  • Shenqin Yao

    (Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University
    Harvard University
    †Present addresses: Allen Institute for Brain Science, Seattle, Washington 98103, USA (S.Y.); Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA (B.K.P.).)

  • Brant K. Peterson

    (Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University
    Harvard University
    †Present addresses: Allen Institute for Brain Science, Seattle, Washington 98103, USA (S.Y.); Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA (B.K.P.).)

  • Meng Xiao He

    (Graduate Program in Biophysics, Harvard University)

  • Catherine Dulac

    (Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University
    Harvard University
    Center for Brain Science, Harvard University)

  • Hopi E. Hoekstra

    (Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Harvard University
    Harvard University
    Harvard University
    Graduate Program in Biophysics, Harvard University)

Abstract

Parental care is essential for the survival of mammals, yet the mechanisms underlying its evolution remain largely unknown. Here we show that two sister species of mice, Peromyscus polionotus and Peromyscus maniculatus, have large and heritable differences in parental behaviour. Using quantitative genetics, we identify 12 genomic regions that affect parental care, 8 of which have sex-specific effects, suggesting that parental care can evolve independently in males and females. Furthermore, some regions affect parental care broadly, whereas others affect specific behaviours, such as nest building. Of the genes linked to differences in nest-building behaviour, vasopressin is differentially expressed in the hypothalamus of the two species, with increased levels associated with less nest building. Using pharmacology in Peromyscus and chemogenetics in Mus, we show that vasopressin inhibits nest building but not other parental behaviours. Together, our results indicate that variation in an ancient neuropeptide contributes to interspecific differences in parental care.

Suggested Citation

  • Andres Bendesky & Young-Mi Kwon & Jean-Marc Lassance & Caitlin L. Lewarch & Shenqin Yao & Brant K. Peterson & Meng Xiao He & Catherine Dulac & Hopi E. Hoekstra, 2017. "The genetic basis of parental care evolution in monogamous mice," Nature, Nature, vol. 544(7651), pages 434-439, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:544:y:2017:i:7651:d:10.1038_nature22074
    DOI: 10.1038/nature22074
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    Cited by:

    1. Pingfen Zhu & Weiqiang Liu & Xiaoxiao Zhang & Meng Li & Gaoming Liu & Yang Yu & Zihao Li & Xuanjing Li & Juan Du & Xiao Wang & Cyril C. Grueter & Ming Li & Xuming Zhou, 2023. "Correlated evolution of social organization and lifespan in mammals," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-18, December.

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