Data from: Artificial selection on relative brain size reveals a positive genetic correlation between brain size and proactive personality in the guppy

dc.contributor.affiliationUppsala University - Kotrschal, Alexander
dc.contributor.affiliationUppsala University - Lievens, Eva J. P.
dc.contributor.affiliationUppsala University - Dahlbom, Josefin
dc.contributor.affiliationUppsala University - Bundsen, Andreas
dc.contributor.affiliationUniversity of Helsinki - Semenova, Svetlana
dc.contributor.affiliationUniversity of Helsinki - Sundvik, Maria
dc.contributor.affiliationUppsala University - Maklakov, Alexei A.
dc.contributor.affiliationUppsala University - Winberg, Svante
dc.contributor.affiliationUniversity of Helsinki - Panula, Pertti
dc.contributor.affiliationUppsala University - Kolm, Niclas
dc.contributor.affiliationUppsala University - Lievens, Eva JP
dc.contributor.authorKotrschal, Alexander
dc.contributor.authorLievens, Eva J. P.
dc.contributor.authorDahlbom, Josefin
dc.contributor.authorBundsen, Andreas
dc.contributor.authorSemenova, Svetlana
dc.contributor.authorSundvik, Maria
dc.contributor.authorMaklakov, Alexei A.
dc.contributor.authorWinberg, Svante
dc.contributor.authorPanula, Pertti
dc.contributor.authorKolm, Niclas
dc.contributor.authorLievens, Eva JP
dc.date.accessioned2025-03-24T15:15:04Z
dc.date.issued2013-12-11
dc.date.issued2013-12-11
dc.descriptionAnimal personalities range from individuals that are shy, cautious, and easily stressed (a 'reactive' personality type) to individuals that are bold, innovative and quick to learn novel tasks, but also prone to routine formation (a 'proactive' personality type). Although personality differences should have important consequences for fitness, their underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here, we investigated how genetic variation in brain size affects personality. We put selection lines of large- and small-brained guppies (Poecilia reticulata), with known differences in cognitive ability, through three standard personality assays. First, we found that large-brained animals were faster to habituate to, and more exploratory in, open field tests. Large-brained females were also bolder. Second, large-brained animals excreted less cortisol in a stressful situation (confinement). Third, large-brained animals were slower to feed from a novel food source, which we interpret as being caused by reduced behavioral flexibility rather than lack of innovation in the large-brained lines. Overall, the results point towards a more proactive personality type in large-brained animals. Thus, this study provides the first experimental evidence linking brain size and personality, an interaction which may affect important fitness-related aspects of ecology such as dispersal and niche exploration.
dc.identifierhttps://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.6gd87
dc.identifier.urihttps://hydatakatalogi-test-24.it.helsinki.fi/handle/123456789/9506
dc.rightsOpen
dc.rights.licensecc-zero
dc.subjectSelection - Artificial
dc.titleData from: Artificial selection on relative brain size reveals a positive genetic correlation between brain size and proactive personality in the guppy
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