Data from: The heritability of behavior: a meta-analysis

The contribution of genetic variation to phenotypes is a central factor in
whether and how populations respond to selection. The most common approach
to estimating this influences is via the calculation of heritabilities,
which summarize the contribution of genetic variation to phenotypic
variation. Heritabilities also indicate the relative affect of genetic
variation on phenotypes versus that of environmental sources of variation.
For labile traits like behavioral responses, life-history traits, and
physiological responses, estimation of heritabilities is important as
these traits are strongly influenced by the environment. Thus, knowing
whether or not genetic variation is present within populations is
necessary to understand whether or not these populations can evolve in
response to selection. Here we report the results of a meta-analysis
summarizing what we currently know about the heritability of behavior.
Using phylogenetically controlled methods we assessed the average
heritability of behavior (0.235)—which is similar to that reported in
previous analyses of physiological and life-history traits—and examined
differences among taxa, behavioral classifications, and other biologically
relevant factors. We found that there was considerable variation among
behaviors as to how heritable they were, with migratory behaviors being
the most heritable. Interestingly, we found no effect of phylogeny on
estimates of heritability. These results suggest, first, that behavior may
not be particularly unique in the degree to which it is influenced by
factors other than genetics and, second, that those factors influencing
whether a behavioral trait will have low or high heritability require
further consideration.