An evolutionary framework for studying mechanisms of social behavior

• Understanding social evolution requires integration of mechanisms and function.
• A general framework for the integration of proximate and ultimate analyses is lacking.
• Recent advances enable an understanding of the evolution of the mechanistic diversity.
• We propose a multidisciplinary framework to analyze the evolution of social behavior.

Social interactions are central to most animals and have a fundamental impact upon the phenotype of an individual. Social behavior (social interactions among conspecifics) represents a central challenge to the integration of the functional and mechanistic bases of complex behavior. Traditionally, studies of proximate and ultimate elements of social behavior have been conducted by distinct groups of researchers, with little communication across perceived disciplinary boundaries. However, recent technological advances, coupled with increased recognition of the substantial variation in mechanisms underlying social interactions, should compel investigators from divergent disciplines to pursue more integrative analyses of social behavior. We propose an integrative conceptual framework intended to guide researchers towards a comprehensive understanding of the evolution and maintenance of mechanisms governing variation in sociality.