Non-genetic Inheritance in Birds: transmission of behaviour from mother to offspring

Abstract

Understanding the mechanisms of non-genetic inheritance is fundamental as they are involved in evolution processes. One of the paths that nongenetic inheritance can take is via maternal effects. Indeed, we know that mammalian mothers can influence the general development of their offspring both before and after birth. In addition, maternal effects have recently been evidenced in avian species thus opening new possibilities to develop our knowledge of non-genetic inheritance mechanisms. Here, we review the literature on prenatal and postnatal maternal effects on bird behavioural development and we detail recent research that opens new perspectives concerning mechanisms involved in non-genetic inheritance.