Genetic adaptation to risk - Evolutionary Anthropology @ISEM

As the human species has colonized extremely diverse environments, it is possible that genes adapted to these environments have evolved (as with adaptation to life at high altitude). These genes may confer adaptation to the environment through morphological or physiological change or, possibly, through behavioral change. Many genes are known to affect behavior, such as alleles of the dopamine receptor gene (DRD4) associated with risk-taking under experimental conditions. However, the existence of selection acting on these genes, particularly in risky environments, is not known. Two situations are considered: 1) the case of active volcanoes, thus presenting a risk area, which is often densely populated by a stable rural population, and 2) the case of the dangers of marine fishing, particularly for fishermen from the village of Guet Ndar (St. Louis region, Senegal), who are regularly exposed to significant risks when going back and forth to the fishing grounds.

The objective of this project is 1) to study risk-taking behaviors in adjacent risk-exposed and non-exposed regions, 2) to study the possibility of local adaptation to a risky environment, and 3) to identify any genes involved in this local adaptation.

References:

Clochard, G.-J., Mbengue, A., Mettling, C., Diouf, B., Faurie, C., Sene, O., Chancerel, E., Guichoux, E., Hollard, G.*, Raymond, M.*, Willinger, M.* 2023. The effect of the 7R allele at the DRD4 locus on risk tolerance is independent of background risk in Senegalese fishermen. Scientific Report, 13:622 [ * : equal contribution]

Faurie C.*, Mettling C.*, Bchir M.A., Hadmoko D.S., Heitz C., Lestari E.D., Raymond M.*, Willinger M.* 2016. Evidence of genotypic adaptation to the exposure to volcanic risk at the dopamine receptor DRD4 locus. Scientific Reports, 6:37745 [ * : equal contribution]