Genetic and molecular dissection of animal decision-making: A new frontier for genetic analysis

Abstract

In 1859, Darwin and Wallace presented extensive evidence that evolution occurs through natural selection. Twelve years later he would provide evidence that females select males and that this sexual selection changes the evolutionary paths of populations. Since then, biologists have shown that female mate choice is widespread in the animal kingdom, which strongly suggests that this may be an ancient behavior that ultimately drives the evolution of novel nervous systems and behaviors. More recently, female mate choice began to emerge as a central paradigm to probe and understand animal decision-making. The development of new genetic systems and the sequencing of genomes allow us to identify genes and mechanisms responsible for animals to make choices. Here we discuss the genetics basis of behavior and decision-making, the use of genetic models to study female mate choice, and how different disciplines and strategies may help us better understand animal decision-making.