Meeting Abstract

71.4  Monday, Jan. 6 08:45  Influences of mate preference behavior on patterns of brain gene expression in the sailfin molly Poecilia latipinna SCHUMER, ME*; WANG, S; CUMMINGS, ME; Princeton University; University of Texas at Austin; University of Texas at Austin schumer@princeton.edu

Selection of a mate is one of the most important behavioral processes in an organism’s lifecycle, however we understand little about the proximate mechanisms which underlie this process. In this experiment, we examine the molecular mechanisms associated with mate preference behavior in the sailfin molly Poecilia latipinna. Using an RNA-seq based approach we examine the effects of male exposure, social exposure, and preference behavior on brain gene expression. We analyze and discuss our findings in the context of research in other poeciliid fish which suggest that neural plasticity and learning play a major role in mate preference behavior, regardless of mating system.