Details of Award
NERC Reference : NE/C000889/1
Proximate mechanisms underlying boldness: an evolutionary relevant behavioural trait
Grant Award
- Principal Investigator:
- Dr LU Sneddon, University of Liverpool, Sch of Biological Sciences
- Co-Investigator:
- Professor AR Cossins, University of Liverpool, Institute of Integrative Biology
- Grant held at:
- University of Liverpool, Sch of Biological Sciences
- Science Area:
- Freshwater
- Overall Classification:
- Freshwater
- ENRIs:
- Natural Resource Management
- Biodiversity
- Science Topics:
- Environmental Genomics
- Behavioural Ecology
- Abstract:
- One of the major axes influencing the behaviour of humans and animals is the bold-shy continuum where individuals show behavioural characteristics ranging from having a bold personality to being shy. Bold individuals can be described as extrovert and are highly aggressive, very active, willing to take risks under the threat of predation, quicker to learn simple tasks and less fearful whereas shy individuals are introverts showing little aggression, little activity, are unwilling to engage in risky behaviour, slower to learn and are very fearful of new situations. These behavioural patterns are consistently displayed and profoundly affect how these individuals behave in a variety of situations which has an impact on survivorship in the wild. For example, when food availability is scarce bold individuals may be more successful in finding food due to their high activity levels and, therefore, more likely to survive than shy individuals. However, the tables may be turned if predation risk is high and the greater activity of the bold animal makes it more conspicuous. Boldness may contribute to success in one situation but may be inappropriate in another situation. It is important for us to understand why animals within a population behave in such different ways and how each of these personality styles cope with environmental change. Climate change, such as global warming and other human influences e.g. toxicants, affects the geographical distribution of animals but also whether they survive or become extinct. Animals with different personalities may respond to these environmental changes in different ways so it is vital for us to understand why these animals differ in their behavioural decisions. The brain is central to behaviour and we propose to look at how the expression of brain genes is linked to the bold or shy pattern of behaviour. Then we shall determine whether these personality traits can be influenced by giving animals experience of winning or losing fights since prior experience influences subsequent behaviour. Winners tend to go on winning and losers tend to go on losing so bold fish experiencing a succession of defeats may become more shy and shy fish repeatedly being the victor may become more bold. If the animals can change their personality then this helps us to understand the extent to which animals modify their behaviour when confronted with environmental changes. However, if bold and shy individuals are unable to alter their decisions this may inform theories behind evolution and explain why some animals cannot survive changes in their environment. Finally we shall alter the internal state of the animal by holding them in different environments increasing their energy demands to determine if a hungry shy fish is willing to take risks in the presence of a predator to get food and thus the internal state of the animal influences its behaviour. This proposal is relevant to understanding how fixed animals behavioural traits are, how different personalities cope with environmental change and which genes underpin these characteristics. It is relevant to understanding how different behavioural characteristics affect their distribution in a habitat and more importantly the survival of individuals and the population as a whole.
- NERC Reference:
- NE/C000889/1
- Grant Stage:
- Completed
- Scheme:
- Small Grants Pre FEC
- Grant Status:
- Closed
- Programme:
- Small Grants
This grant award has a total value of £30,916
FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)
| Total - Staff | Total - Other Costs | Total - Indirect Costs |
|---|---|---|
| £17,107 | £5,940 | £7,869 |
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