Abstract
Reported is a genetic analysis of mating behavior in male Japanese quail. Data were obtained from replicated experiments involving 12 generations of divergent selection for high and low cumulative number of completed matings (CNCM). No trait measured in the randombred control population changed significantly over time. Asymmetrical responses between the divergent lines were observed during various phases of selection. Reversed selection showed that additive genetic variance remains in the high lines. Small and unimportant were drift and error variances. Genetic and phenotypic relationships between CNCM and body weight were small but positive, while those between CNCM and relative aggressiveness were positive and intermediate. Also positive and intermediate were the correlations between CNCM and cloacal gland size.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Falconer, D. S. (1954). Validity of the theory of genetic correlation.J. Hered. 45:42–44.
Hill, W. G. (1972). Estimation of realized heritabilities from selection experiments. II. Selection in one direction.Biometrics 28:767–780.
Jones, J. H. (1974). Endocrine aspects of the genetics of mating behavior in the domestic fowl. Ph.D. disertation, VPI&SU.
Kessler, S. (1969). The genetics ofDrosophila mating speed inDrosophila pseudoobscura.Anim. Behav. 16:485–491.
Kovach, J. K. (1974). The behavior of Japanese quail: Review of literature from a bioethological perspective.App. Anim. Ethol. 1:77–102.
Manning, A. (1961). The effects of artificial selection for mating speed inDrosophila melanogaster.Anim. Behav. 9:82–92.
Manning, A., and Hirsch, J. (1971). The effects of artificial selection for slow mating inDrosophila simulans. II. Genetic analysis of the slow mating line.Anim. Behav. 19:448–453.
McCollom, R. E., Siegel, P. B., and Van Krey, H. P. (1971). Response to androgen in lines of chickens selected for mating behavior.Horm. Behav. 2:31–42.
Sachs, B. D. (1967). Photoperiodic control of the cloacal gland of the Japanese quail.Science 157:201–203.
Sefton, A. E., and Siegel, P. B. (1973). Mating behavior of Japanese quail.Poultry Sci. 52:1001–1007.
Sefton, A. E., and Siegel, P. B. (1975). Selection for mating ability in Japanese quail.Poultry Sci. 54:788–794.
Siegel, P. B. (1965). Genetics of behavior: Selection for mating ability in chickens.Genetics 52:1269–1277.
Siegel, P. B. (1972). Genetic analysis of mating behavior in chickens (Gallus domesticus). I. Artificial selection.Anim. Behav. 20:564–570.
Snedecor, G. W. (1946).Statistical Methods, Iowa State College Press, Ames.
Snedecor, G. W., and Cochran, W. G. (1967).Statistical Methods, Iowa State University Press, Ames.
Tindell, D., and Arze, C. G. (1965). Sexual maturity of male chickens selected for mating ability.Poultry Sci. 44:70–72.
Van Krey, H. P., Siegel, P. B., and Jones, J. H. (1977). The regulation of overt sexual behavior in the domestic fowl.Poultry Sci. 56:1447–1453.
Wood-Gush, D. G. M. (1958). Genetic and experimental factors affecting libido of cockerels.Proc. Roy. Soc. Edinburgh Ser. B 27:6–8.
Wood-Gush, D. G. M. (1960). A study of sex drive of two strains of cockerels through three generations.Anim. Behav. 8:43–53.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
This research was supported in part by NSF Grant BNS 73-00711 AO1.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Cunningham, D.L., Siegel, P.B. Response to bidirectional and reverse selection for mating behavior in Japanese quailCoturnix coturnix japonica . Behav Genet 8, 387–397 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01067936
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01067936