Topic: cortical amygdala

Adaptive behavior requires both innate and learned behaviours, but little is known about the interactions of the circuitry underlying these behaviours, or the implications of this on the evolution of behaviour. Using the olfactory response to trimethylamine (TMA) in the Mus clade as a cross-species model, we explored changes in the circuitry of innate behaviour through plasticity and evolution. TMA is a volatile odour produced during putrefaction and is aversive to most mammals. However, Mus musculus evolved to produce TMA as a social signal and are attracted to it. We demonstrate a concentrat