title: Genetic variation in aggregation behaviour and interacting phenotypes in Drosophila.
abstract: Aggregation behaviour is the tendency for animals to group together, which may have important consequences on individual fitness. We used a combination of experimental and simulation approaches to study how genetic variation and social environment interact to influence aggregation dynamics in Drosophila To do this, we used two different natural lines of Drosophila that arise from a polymorphism in the foraging gene (rovers and sitters). We placed groups of flies in a heated arena. Flies could freely move towards one of two small, cooler refuge areas. In groups of the same strain, sitters had a greater tendency to aggregate. The observed behavioural variation was based on only two parameters: the probability of entering a refuge and the likelihood of choosing a refuge based on the number of individuals present. We then directly addressed how different strains interact by mixing rovers and sitters within a group. Aggregation behaviour of each line was strongly affected by the presence of the other strain, without changing the decision rules used by each. Individuals obeying local rules shaped complex group dynamics via a constant feedback loop between the individual and the group. This study could help to identify the circumstances under which particular group compositions may improve individual fitness through underlying aggregation mechanisms under specific environmental conditions.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire Evolution, Génomes, Comportement and Ecologie, CNRS, IRD, Université. Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette 91198, France.
authors.forename: Anne-Sophie
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Philippe
authors.affiliation: Université de Toulouse, Université Paul Sabatier, Centre de Recherches sur la Cognition Animale, 118 Route de Narbonne, 31062 Toulouse Cedex 9, France Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Centre de Recherches sur la Cognition Animale, 118 Route de Narbonne, 31062 Toulouse Cedex 9, France.
authors.forename: Raphael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jeanson
authors.affiliation: Département Ecologie, Physiologie et Ethologie, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Strasbourg, France Institut Pluridisciplinaire Hubert Curien, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France.
authors.forename: Cristian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pasquaretta
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire Evolution, Génomes, Comportement and Ecologie, CNRS, IRD, Université. Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette 91198, France Instituto de Ecología, Centro de Análisis Espacial, Universidad Mayor de San Andrés, La Paz, Bolivia.
authors.forename: Francois
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rebaudo
authors.affiliation: Département Ecologie, Physiologie et Ethologie, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Strasbourg, France Institut Pluridisciplinaire Hubert Curien, Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France.
authors.forename: Cedric
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sueur
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire Evolution, Génomes, Comportement and Ecologie, CNRS, IRD, Université. Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette 91198, France frederic.mery@egce.cnrs-gif.fr.
authors.forename: Frederic
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mery
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003657:Decision Making; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D014644:Genetic Variation; D008954:Models, Biological; D010641:Phenotype; D012919:Social Behavior; D012931:Social Environment
keywords: Drosophila melanogaster; aggregation behaviour; foraging gene; interacting phenotypes; social interaction