Few studies have examined genotype by environment (GxE) effects on premating reproductive isolation and associated behaviors, even though such effects may be common when speciation is driven by adaptation to different environments. In this study, mating success and courtship song differences among diverging populations of Drosophila mojavensis were investigated in a two-environment quantitative...

Three recent studies report on the olfactory mechanisms used for gender identification in Drosophila and on the olfactory receptors stimulated by the pheromone 11-cis-vaccenyl acetate. This pheromone activates specific olfactory receptors that suppress the courtship of males with other males, promote the sexual receptivity of females, and participate in the formation of memories about prior cou...

Many adaptive phenotypes consist of combinations of simpler traits that act synergistically, such as morphological traits and the behaviors that use those traits. Genetic correlations between components of such combinatorial traits, in the form of pleiotropic or tightly linked genes, can in principle promote the evolution and maintenance of these traits. In the Oriental Drosophila melanogaster ...

As in many species, gustatory pheromones regulate the mating behavior of Drosophila. Recently, several ppk genes, encoding ion channel subunits of the DEG/ENaC family, have been implicated in this process, leading to the identification of gustatory neurons that detect specific pheromones. In a subset of taste hairs on the legs of Drosophila, there are two ppk23-expressing, pheromone-sensing neu...

Sexual courtship is a highly ritualized behavior in many animals. Recent work in the vinegar fly, Drosophila melanogaster, has illuminated how the pheromone cis-vaccenyl acetate modulates sexual behavior in the fly. Chemosensory receptors and a sexually dimorphic circuit activated by this pheromone have been identified. This minireview highlights recent advances in the field of fly courtship.

The article addresses the problem of reciprocity in homoerotic relationships classical Athens. According to more traditional approach, pecking ord er model ’’, these typically a symmetrical almost inevitably involved humiliation one partners, who literally or metaphorically assumed passive and therefore u n manly role. Although recent studies tend underline arti fici al cha racter schola rly re...

The construction of a comprehensive structural, and importantly functional map of the network of elements and connections forming the brain represents the Holy Grail for research groups working in disparate disciplines. Although technical limitations have restricted the mapping of human and mouse 'connectomes' to the level of brain regions, a finer degree of functional resolution is attainable ...

Courtship and copulation behaviours are yet scantily described in many spider families, this lack of information limits our understanding the evolution such within across families. Here, we provide a detailed description both courtship behaviour for Oecobius concinnus Simon, 1893. A striking characteristic male is construction tubular web (mating web) which most occurs. This likely functions to...