Despite the extraordinary diversity of behavior across the animal kingdom, the genes and molecules that contribute to such natural diversity are largely unknown. In this thesis, I leverage the dramatic divergence in behavior between two closely related species of deer mice (genus Peromyscus) to investigate the genetic, cellular, and neuroendocrine basis of behavior. In chapter 2, I show that the monogamous oldfield mouse (Peromyscus polionotus subgriseus) has evolved a novel cell type in the adrenal gland that expresses the enzyme AKR1C18, which converts progesterone into 20α-hydroxyprogesterone (20α-OHP). I then demonstrate that 20α-OHP is more abundant in oldfield mice than in the closely-related promiscuous prairie deer mouse (P. maniculatus bairdii) and that it increases monogamous-typical parental behaviors when administered to both monogamous fathers. Using quantitative trait locus mapping in a cross between these species, I discover interspecific genetic variation that drives expression of the glycoprotein tenascin N and ultimately contributes to gain of adrenal AKR1C18 expression in oldfield mice. In chapter 3, I investigate the genetic architecture underlying the striking difference in exploratory behavior between prairie deer mice and oldfield mice. Through congenic fine-mapping, I identify a 15-Mb locus that strongly contributes to species differences in exploratory behavior. I then investigate the potential contributions of one of the 18 genes in the locus, Olfm4, which harbors cis-regulatory variants that drives its expression in the oldfield hypothalamus. Taken together, my research advances our understanding of the genetic and molecular causes that drive rapid behavioral divergence between species.

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Syftet med denna systematiska litteraturstudie var att undersöka om slump och sannolikhet kan vara det Ross och kollegor kallar för tröskelbegrepp. Detta undersöktes genom en kvalitativ analys av 11 publicerade artiklar. Dessa analyserades utifrån tre frågeställningar.  Hur resonerar elever angående slump och sannolikhet inom matematikundervisningen? Hur resonerar elever angående slump och sannolikhet inom evolutionsundervisningen? Återfinns liknande resonemang angående slump och sannolikhet inom matematik- och evolutionsundervisningen? Utifrån sammanställningen granskades resonemangen för att se om de liknade varandra. Efter detta drogs slutsatser om huruvida slump och sannolikhet skulle kunna vara så kallade tröskelbegrepp. Resonemangen verkade påminna om varandra och flera av de kriterier som Ross och kollegor har ställt upp för tröskelbegrepp är uppfyllda. Denna studie stödjer deras förslag angående att slump och sannolikhet är tröskelbegrepp.

<p> A strong understanding of the role of kissing has important theoretical implications; however little research has been done on kissing in romantic relationships. This study aimed to examine the role of kissing in (a) mate assessment, (b) initiating arousal and (c) maintenance of an emotional bond. Data were collected by surveying college students at a public university in the northeast. The first survey (n = 121) examined the memory of the first kiss compared to other sexual &ldquo;firsts&rdquo; as well as the relationship between the first kiss and relationship outcome. Memories of the first kiss were weaker than memories of first sex and quality of the first kiss was not associated with relationship outcome. The second survey (n= 67) asked participants to rate their first kiss with their current partner as well as their satisfaction with various aspects of their current relationship. Quality of the first kiss was positively correlated with current relationship satisfaction, particularly sexual satisfaction in men and emotional satisfaction in women. This relationship was much weaker in women on hormonal birth control. Satisfaction with kissing in the current relationship was also positively correlated with relationship satisfaction in women, but not men. In the third study (n = 55), respondents were asked to report which type of kiss was mostly likely in a variety of contexts. They were also asked to predict how likely a &ldquo;great kisser&rdquo; was to have a variety of other attributes. The results suggest that closed mouth kissing is primarily related to emotional intimacy and conflict resolution and open mouth kissing with tongue contact is most associated with sexual arousal and attraction. Overall, the results provide strong evidence that kissing is important in romantic relationships. Additional research should be done to further elucidate the exact role that kissing plays in mate assessment, relationship maintenance and sexual attraction and how it varies by gender.</p>