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Heritability and the evolution of cognitive traits

Author

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  • R. Croston
  • C.L. Branch
  • D.Y. Kozlovsky
  • R. Dukas
  • V.V. Pravosudov

Abstract

A critical question in the study of the evolution of cognition and the brain concerns the extent to which variation in cognitive processes and associated neural mechanisms is adaptive and shaped by natural selection. In order to be available to selection, cognitive traits and their neural architecture must show heritable variation within a population, yet heritability of cognitive and neural traits is not often investigated in the field of behavioral ecology. In this commentary, we outline existing research pertaining to the relative influences of genes and environment in cognitive and underlying neural trait variation, as well as what is known of their heritable genetic architecture by focusing on several cognitive traits that have received much attention in behavioral ecology. It is important to demonstrate that cognitive traits can respond to selection, and we advocate for an increased emphasis on investigating trait heritability for enhancing our understanding of the ecological, genetic and neurobiological mechanisms that have shaped interspecific and intraspecific variation in cognitive traits.

Suggested Citation

  • R. Croston & C.L. Branch & D.Y. Kozlovsky & R. Dukas & V.V. Pravosudov, 2015. "Heritability and the evolution of cognitive traits," Behavioral Ecology, International Society for Behavioral Ecology, vol. 26(6), pages 1447-1459.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:beheco:v:26:y:2015:i:6:p:1447-1459.
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    Cited by:

    1. Kaj Hulthén & Justa L Heinen-Kay & Danielle A Schmidt & R Brian Langerhans, 2021. "Predation shapes behavioral lateralization: insights from an adaptive radiation of livebearing fish," Behavioral Ecology, International Society for Behavioral Ecology, vol. 32(6), pages 1321-1329.
    2. Tom V. Smulders, 2015. "Interpreting measurements of heritability: a comment on Croston et al," Behavioral Ecology, International Society for Behavioral Ecology, vol. 26(6), pages 1461-1462.
    3. Li Li & Cwyn Solvi & Feng Zhang & Zhaoyang Qi & Lars Chittka & Wei Zhao, 2021. "Gut microbiome drives individual memory variation in bumblebees," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-10, December.
    4. Susan D. Healy, 2015. "More data required: a comment on Croston et al," Behavioral Ecology, International Society for Behavioral Ecology, vol. 26(6), pages 1462-1462.
    5. A. Thornton & A.J. Wilson, 2015. "In search of the Darwinian Holy Trinity in cognitive evolution: a comment on Croston et al," Behavioral Ecology, International Society for Behavioral Ecology, vol. 26(6), pages 1460-1461.

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