From phenotype to genotype: the precursor hypothesis predicts genetic influences that facilitate transitions in social behavior

Allen J Moore; Kyle M Benowitz

doi:10.1016/j.cois.2019.04.007

From phenotype to genotype: the precursor hypothesis predicts genetic influences that facilitate transitions in social behavior

Curr Opin Insect Sci. 2019 Aug:34:91-96. doi: 10.1016/j.cois.2019.04.007. Epub 2019 Apr 26.

Authors

Allen J Moore¹, Kyle M Benowitz²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Entomology, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA. Electronic address: ajmoore@uga.edu.
² Department of Entomology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA.

Abstract

Parental care is expected to be one of the key evolutionary precursors to advanced social behavior. This suggests that there could be common genetic underpinnings to both parental care and sociality. However, little is known of the genetics underlying care. Here, we suggest that ethological predictions of behavioral precursors to care along with a genetic toolkit for behavior provide testable hypotheses and a defined approach to investigating genetics of sociality. We call this the 'precursor hypothesis'.

Publication types

Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Behavior, Animal*
Biological Evolution*
Feeding Behavior
Insecta / genetics*
Parenting
Reproduction
Social Behavior*

Grants and funding

T32 GM007103/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States