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Studies in genotype-environment interaction. I. Methodology and preliminary multivariate analysis of a diallel cross of eight strains of rat

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Abstract

Previous studies concerned with genotype-environment interaction in behavior are discussed from methodological and gene-action points of view. A number of methodological advances have been made recently. In particular, designs introducing environmental variables factorially into standard genetic designs are extremely powerful. It is evident that all the methods appropriate to the analysis of factorial designs may be employed to investigate the interaction between such macroenvironmental variables and genotype. The main advantage of adopting such designs in psychogenetic studies is that much more complex behaviors may be investigated. Studying the gene-action controlling behavior as a means of increasing our understanding of its adaptive and evolutionary significance has been the aim of a number of recent psychogenetic studies. This approach applied to studies of genotype-environment interaction makes investigating the adaptive significance of these complex behaviors possible. A number of previous interaction studies are discussed from this viewpoint. The general finding is that gene action ensures that the hybrid genotypes, typical of natural populations, are buffered against environmental treatments aimed at producing deleterious and disruptive effects. However, an interesting study by Henderson, where the treatment was aimed at enrichment of the environment, revealed no such buffering effect. Instead, an increase in the range of inherited individual differences was found, differences which remained hidden in the control group. The main purpose of this report is to present findings of a replicated diallel cross of eight strains of rats employing an environmental treatment designed to investigate genotype-environment interaction. One group was subjected to infantile stimulation by early handling, and a control group was not handled. The principal measures taken in adulthood were open-field ambulation and defecation, two escape-avoidance behaviors, and body-build index. A preliminary analysis, employing a multivariate extension of Hayman's analysis of variance, is carried out describing the main findings. Each of the five measures in the analysis is shown to be under substantial independent genetic control, although a number of interesting interrelationships also emerge. Many interactions with stimulation are indicated for all measures. It is concluded that each measure should be subjected to a univariate analysis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Birmingham, England

    D. W. Fulker, J. Wilcock & P. L. Broadhurst

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  1. D. W. Fulker
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  2. J. Wilcock
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  3. P. L. Broadhurst
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Additional information

This study was initiated as part of a continuing program of research in psychogenetics in the Departments of Psychology and Genetics at the University of Birmingham, and was supported at first by USPHS grant No. 08712 from the National institute of Mental Health and later by the (British) Medical Research Council.

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Fulker, D.W., Wilcock, J. & Broadhurst, P.L. Studies in genotype-environment interaction. I. Methodology and preliminary multivariate analysis of a diallel cross of eight strains of rat. Behav Genet 2, 261–287 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01092907

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