Abstract
The number of gorillas in the wild and in captivity has decreased over time and immediate efforts are needed to conserve these species. Understanding the genetic factors underlying gorilla personality may help to determine the conservation strategy best suited to individuals. We evaluated personality using questionnaires in western lowland gorillas. We also genotyped gorillas for candidate genes related to aggressiveness or stress response by targeting genes related to neuronal transmission and hormones. Subjects were 14 captive gorillas housed in Japanese zoos and 8 wild gorillas living in Moukalaba-Doudou National Park, Gabon. Gorilla personality was assessed using the 54-item Hominoid Personality Questionnaire by two to four raters who knew the target individual. We genotyped five genes: vasopressin receptor, monoamine oxidase A, monoamine oxidase B, serotonin transporter, and androgen receptor. All personality items were reliable across raters. Preliminary principal-components analysis indicated that these items could be described by dimensions we labeled Neuroticism, Dominance, Openness, Vigilance, and Dependence. These components had excellent inter-rater and internal consistency reliabilities. All genes were polymorphic. Personality scores were compared across keeping condition, evaluators characteristics, and genotypes. These findings highlight potentially useful measures for understanding within-species difference in behavior and affect in captive and wild gorillas.
