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Proximate Causation: Functional Traits and the Ubiquity of Signaler to Receiver Interactions: From Biochemical to Whole Organism Levels of Mammalian Social Organization

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The Evolution of Mammalian Sociality in an Ecological Perspective

Part of the book series: SpringerBriefs in Ecology ((BRIEFSECOLOGY))

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Abstract

This chapter summarizes selected proximate correlates of mammalian sociality, including genetic, genomic, and physiological correlates. Ecological correlates were discussed in Chaps. 6 and 7. Mammalian sociogenomics (gene ontological studies) is in its early stages but has the potential to address questions concerning the play of phenotypes in fluctuating environments (Coda). The role of oxytocin and dopamine is discussed, including an overview of the new field “ecological neuroscience,” conducting laboratory research on testing ecological theories (e.g., optimal foraging theory) as they pertain to physiological variables. This chapter also addresses “rapid evolution” as a process explaining mammalian sociality.

“The molecular functions of many genes are highly conserved across species, even for complex traits.” Robinson et al. (2005)

“Neurophysiological studies in the lab have revealed neural correlates of stimulus and movement value in parietal cortex and cingulated cortex, neural circuits implicated in attention, emotion, and decision-making.” Platt (2013)

“Understanding of the behavioural mechanisms driving density-dependent processes provides potentially much greater insights than simply describing the population-level processes directly.” Sutherland and Norris (2003)

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  1. Mammals and Phenogroups (MaPs), Asheville, North Carolina, USA

    Clara B. Jones

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© 2014 Clara B. Jones

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Jones, C. (2014). Proximate Causation: Functional Traits and the Ubiquity of Signaler to Receiver Interactions: From Biochemical to Whole Organism Levels of Mammalian Social Organization. In: The Evolution of Mammalian Sociality in an Ecological Perspective. SpringerBriefs in Ecology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-03931-2_9

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