分子遗传学与动物行为有着密切关系，它不仅可用于检验动物行为学中的各种假说，而且也可用基因直接解读动物行为的很多特征。有些行为是由单一基因决定的，有些行为是由两个基因决定的，而大多数行为是由3个或更多基因决定的。如果发现X基因的某个变体是与Y行为的一个变体相关联的，那么就可以确定这个基因与这一行为间存在着直接和近期的关系。目前在全球范围内的几百个实验室内正在进行大规模的基因鉴定工作，以确定是哪些基因在决定着动物行为的特征。在这一领域从事研究的科学家还不断探讨并试图搞清动物行为特征的分子遗传学基础。本文以两个研究实例详细说明在这一领域的研究方法、研究现状和研究进展。

In this paper, We will examine how molecular genetics can be used to test various ethological hypotheses. Genes can also be used in the proximate explanation of a trait in a very straightforward manner. If a study finds that some variant of gene X is associated with a variant of behavior Y, we are casting genes in a proximate, rather than an ultimate, light. Identifying the  genes behind behavior traits is a large-scale endeavor going on in hundreds of labs around the world today. Researchers involved in this area examined the molecular genetic underpinning of traits such as foriging, mate choice, aggression, division of labor,and so on. We examine two case studies at the molecular genetic level: ultraviolet vision and  song acquisition in birds.