Does the DRD4 “personality gene” differ between urban and rural mountain chickadees

Urbanization is altering natural habitats worldwide, forcing species to adapt or acclimate to these new environments to survive. One species that successfully resides in both rural and urban habitats is the mountain chickadee (Poecile gambeli). In Kamloops, BC, populations of mountain chickadees thrive in both habitats, with no observed difference in reproductive success. Previous studies have investigated whether there are behavioural differences between urban and rural mountain chickadees, finding evidence that anti-predator and neophobic behaviours (elements of animal personality) differ between these populations. Personality is heritable, making it possible to study whether the behavioural differences observed are a result of adaption or acclimation. Polymorphisms in the dopamine receptor D4 gene (Drd4) have been associated with variation in personality traits in great tits (Parus major), particularity with traits such as boldness and novel-seeking behaviour. Specifically, a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) at the 830th nucleotide of the Drd4 receptor gene (SNP830) has been associated with variation in personality, with bolder individuals expressing C/T or T/T genotypes at SNP830. To explore whether the Drd4 gene might be linked to behavioural differences in mountain chickadees and whether the frequency of the Drd4 polymorphism differs between urban and rural birds, we analyzed 58 individuals from Kamloops populations using sanger sequencing. We successfully validated methods for analyzing the Drd4 gene and detecting Drd4 polymorphisms. All individuals tested were CC homozygous, suggesting that the Drd4 SNP830 gene has little influence on behavioural variation seen in this population. Future studies will investigate other genes that have been linked to personality variation, such as the serotonin transporter gene (SERT), that might influence these behaviours. Thesis Supervisors: Dr. Eric Bottos & Dr. Matthew W. Reudink