Genetic Correlates of Individual Differences in Sleep Behavior of Free-Living Great Tits (Parus major).

ABSTRACT: Within populations, free-living birds display considerable variation in observable sleep behaviors, reflecting dynamic interactions between individuals and their environment. Genes are expected to contribute to repeatable between-individual differences in sleep behaviors, which may be associated with individual fitness. We identified and genotyped polymorphisms in nine candidate genes for sleep, and measured five repeatable sleep behaviors in free-living great tits (Parus major), partly replicating a previous study in blue tits (Cyanistes caeruleus). Microsatellites in the CLOCK and NPAS2 clock genes exhibited an association with sleep duration relative to night length, and morning latency to exit the nest box, respectively. Furthermore, microsatellites in the NPSR1 and PCSK2 genes associa

SUBMITTER: Stuber EF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4777123 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature