Genomic evidence for behavioral adaptation of herding dogs

• DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adp4591
• Publication Date: 2025-05-01T02:03:58Z
• Authors: Hankyeol Jeong; Elaine A. Ostrander; Jaemin Kim
• Keywords: Animal Behavior

Herding dogs exhibit a distinct constellation of behaviors marked by inherent instinct and motor skills that manipulate guide livestock in response to instructive commands cues. Comparison the whole-genome sequences herding nonherding breeds reveals signatures positive selection associated with pathways underlying social interaction cognitive functions. Of strong selective sweep signals, haplotypes within ephrin type-B receptor 1 (EPHB1), which is linked locomotor hyperactivity spatial memory, show evidence segregation breed lineages for conformation versus working lines border collies introgression genetically geographically distant Entlebucher mountain dogs. We line-specific haplotype EPHB1 elevated levels chase-bite patterns based on well-validated behavior survey. These findings indicate functional has shaped genetic architecture breeds, may relate their proficiency addressing diverse tasks challenges maintaining control over herd.