Abstract
The open-field behavior of 719 mice resulting from a diallel cross among the six lines of the DeFries selection experiment was assessed. Results of several analyses employing different models and procedures were highly consistent and indicated that genes responsible for differences in open-field activity and defecation among these lines have predominantly additive effects. Estimates of heritability obtained from these analyses were considerably higher than previous estimates based on familial resemblance or the realized response to selection; thus estimation of heritability from diallel analyses is clearly unwarranted when selected lines are employed and the character of interest has been either directly or indirectly subjected to artificial selection.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Archer, J. (1973). Tests for emotionality in rats and mice: A review.Anim. Behav. 21:205–235.
Broadhurst, P. L. (1960). Experiments in psychogenetics: Applications of biometrical genetics to the inheritance of behaviour. In Eysenck, H. J. (ed.)Experiments in Personality, Vol. 1:Psychogenetics and Psychopharmacology, Routledge and Kegan Paul, London.
DeFries, J. C. 1969). Pleiotropic effects of albinism on open field behaviour in mice.Nature 221:65–66.
DeFries, J. C., and Hegmann, J. P. (1970). Genetic analysis of open-field behavior. In Lindzey, G., and Thiessen, D. D. (eds.),Contributions to Behavior-Genetic Analysis: The Mouse as a Prototype, Appleton-Century-Crofts, New York.
DeFries, J. C., Hegmann, J. P., and Weir, M. W. (1966). Open-field behavior in mice: Evidence for a major gene effect mediated by the visual system.Science 154:1577–1579.
DeFries, J. C., Wilson, J. R., and McLearn, G. E. (1970). Open-field behavior in mice: Selection response and situational generality.Behav. Genet. 1:195–211.
Eysenck, H. J., and Broadhurst, P. L. (1964). Experiments with animals: Introduction. In Eysenck, H. J. (ed.),Experiments in Motivation, Macmillan, New York.
Falconer, D. S. (1960).Introduction to Quantitative Genetics, Ronald Press, New York.
Falconer, D. S. (1963). Quantitative inheritance. In Burdette, W. J. (ed.),Methodology in Mammalian Genetics, Holden-Day, San Francisco.
Fulker, D. W. (1966). Mating speed in maleDrosophila melanogaster: A psychogenetic analysis.Science 153:203–205.
Griffing, B. (1956). Concept of general and specific combining ability in relation to diallel crossing systems.Aust. J. Biol. Sci. 9:463–493.
Hall, C. S. (1934). Emotional behavior in the rat. I. Defecation and urination as measures of individual differences in emotionality.J. Comp. Physiol. Psychol. 18:385–403.
Harvey, W. R. (1960).Least Squares Analysis of Data with Unequal Subclass Numbers, No. ARS-20-8, U.S.D.A. Washington, D.C.
Hegmann, J. P., Kieso, R. A., and Hartman, H. B. (1974). Gene differences influencing visual system function and behavior.Behav. Genet. 4:165–170.
Henderson, N. D. (1967). Prior treatment effects on open field behaviour of mice—A genetic analysis.Anim. Behav. 15:364–376.
McClearn, G. E., and DeFries, J. C. (1973).Introduction to Behavioral Genetics, Freeman, San Francisco.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Supported in part by NIMH Training Grant MH-11167 to G. E. McClearn and NINDS RCD 70099 to J. P. H.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Halcomb, R.A., Hegmann, J.P. & DeFries, J.C. Open-field behavior in mice: A diallel analysis of selected lines. Behav Genet 5, 217–231 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01066174
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01066174