title: From classic ethology to modern neuroethology: overcoming the three biases in social behavior research.
abstract: A typical current study investigating the neurobiology of animal behavior is likely restricted to male subjects, of standard inbred mouse strains, tested in simple behavioral assays under laboratory conditions. This approach enables the use of advanced molecular tools, alongside standardization and reproducibility, and has led to tremendous discoveries. However, the cost is a loss of genetic and phenotypic diversity and a divergence from ethologically-relevant behaviors. Here we review the pros and cons in behavioral neuroscience studies of the new era, focusing on reproductive behaviors in rodents. Recent advances in molecular technology and behavioral phenotyping in semi-natural conditions, together with an awareness of the critical need to study both sexes, may provide new insights into the neural mechanisms underlying social behaviors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel.
authors.forename: Noga
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Zilkha
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel.
authors.forename: Yizhak
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sofer
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel.
authors.forename: Yamit
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Beny
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurobiology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel. Electronic address: tali.kimchi@weizmann.ac.il.
authors.forename: Tali
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kimchi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005010:Ethology / Q000592:standards / Q000639:trends*; D009488:Neurosciences / Q000639:trends; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology; D012919:Social Behavior