Specific neural representation for a conceptual set of behavior: pair bonding Amanda Maria Dios, Katherine Alexander, Stephen Jose Hanson, Mei Fang ChengRutgers University, Department of Psychology, Newark, NJ, USAAbstract: Our study examines whether ZENK expression in the nucleus taeniae (avian amygdala) serves as a predictor for pair bonding in ring doves. We were able to predict pair bonding in two experiments at 90%–100% using a quadratic discriminant analysis on principal component scores conducted on ZENK cell counts in the nucleus taeniae. This method appears to be more sensitive in predicting pair bonding than behavioral preference tests, which are subject to environmental factors such as housing conditions and testing parameters.Keywords: pair bonding, taeniae (avian amygdala), ZENK expression, ring doves