In this essay we describe some analytical tools and conceptual
approaches from genomics, discuss their current usage in behavioural
studies, and put forward new ideas as to how these approaches
might apply to questions of interest to behavioural
ecologists. Rather than provide a comprehensive review of the
behavioural applications of genomics, our goal is to prompt
behavioural ecologists to think creatively about possible insights to
be gained by moving beyond the phenotypic gambit. For instance
we discuss the possibility that there are genetic toolkits for
behaviour, an area of research founded on the observation that
convergent phenotypes sometimes evolve using similar genetic
mechanisms. Then, in the section Gene Expression Profiles:
Analytical Tools, we focus on the utility of genomic approaches
beyond the traditional goal of identifying the causal genetic basis of
behaviour. We propose ways in which gene expression profiles can
be used to (1) predict behaviour, (2) evaluate plasticity and (3)
devise methods to manipulate behaviour in order to test adaptive
hypotheses.