Inborn behaviour is regulated by clock gene Period-1

What is it about?

Based on previous studies in the fruit fly we wanted to find out if natural inborn (=daily routine) behaviour like eating, exploring new environment and social interactions (including courtship behaviours) are influenced by the same gene (period-1) in mouse (a mammal) as in the fruit fly (an insect). We found both similarities and differences suggesting that period-1 is involved in behaviour in both mice and flies but in different contexts.

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Why is it important?

Lacking one gene (in our case period-1, a so-called clock gene) can change female choice. In our case wildtype females prefered visiting compartments with a period-1 lacking male. If such a behaviour would also take place in the natural environment (and lead to successful reproduction) in long term this preference would contribute to the formation of a new species.