1
|
Dukas R, Bailey NW. Evolutionary biology of social expertise. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2024. [PMID: 38946116 DOI: 10.1111/brv.13115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 06/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
There is increasing evidence that competent handling of social interactions among conspecifics has positive effects on individual fitness. While individual variation in social competence has been appreciated, the role of long-term experience in the acquisition of superior social skills has received less attention. With the goal of promoting further research, we integrate knowledge across disciplines to assess social expertise, defined as the characteristics, skills and knowledge allowing individuals with extensive social experience to perform significantly better than novices on a given social task. We focus on three categories of social behaviour. First, animals can gain from adjusting social behaviour towards individually recognised conspecifics that they interact with on a regular basis. For example, there is evidence that some territorial animals individually recognise their neighbours and modify their social interactions based on experience with each neighbour. Similarly, individuals in group-living species learn to associate with specific group members based on their expected benefits from such social connections. Individuals have also been found to devote considerable time and effort to learning about the spatial location and timing of sexual receptivity of opposite-sex neighbours to optimise reproduction. Second, signallers can enhance their signals, and receivers can refine their response to signals with experience. In many birds and insects, individuals can produce more consistent signals with experience, and females across a wide taxonomic range can adaptively adjust mating preferences after perceiving distinct male signals. Third, in many species, individuals that succeed in reproducing encounter the novel, complex task of caring for vulnerable offspring. Evidence from a few species of mammals indicates that mothers improve in providing for and protecting their young over successive broods. Finally, for social expertise to evolve, heritable variation in social expertise has to be positively associated with fitness. Heritable variation has been shown in traits contributing to social expertise including social attention, empathy, individual recognition and maternal care. There are currently limited data associating social expertise with fitness, most likely owing to sparse research effort. Exceptions include maternal care, signal refinement, and familiarity with neighbours and group members. Overall, there is evidence that individuals in many species keep refining their social skills with experience throughout life. Hence we propose promising lines of research that can quantify more thoroughly the development of social expertise and its effects on fitness.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Reuven Dukas
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience, and Behaviour, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Nathan W Bailey
- Centre for Biological Diversity, School of Biology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9TH, UK
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Baxter CM, Shams I, Dworkin I, Dukas R. Genetic correlation between aggressive signals and fighting. Biol Lett 2023; 19:20220616. [PMID: 37073527 PMCID: PMC10114015 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2022.0616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Theoretical analyses indicate that aggressive signals should positively correlate with the signallers' willingness and abilities to fight. Few experimental studies, however, have tested this prediction. In two experiments employing distinct, ecologically realistic protocols, we quantified the association between aggressive signals and fighting in fruit fly genotypes and found high positive genetic correlations between threat and fighting (rG = 0.80 and 0.74). Our results add to the growing body of experimental work indicating that aggressive signals have relatively high informational value.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carling M. Baxter
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L8S 4K1
| | - Ieta Shams
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L8S 4K1
| | - Ian Dworkin
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L8S 4K1
| | - Reuven Dukas
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L8S 4K1
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Fisher DN. Direct and indirect phenotypic effects on sociability indicate potential to evolve. J Evol Biol 2023; 36:209-220. [PMID: 36263954 PMCID: PMC10092521 DOI: 10.1111/jeb.14110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
The decision to leave or join a group is important as group size influences many aspects of organisms' lives and their fitness. This tendency to socialise with others, sociability, should be influenced by genes carried by focal individuals (direct genetic effects) and by genes in partner individuals (indirect genetic effects), indicating the trait's evolution could be slower or faster than expected. However, estimating these genetic parameters is difficult. Here, in a laboratory population of the cockroach Blaptica dubia, I estimate phenotypic parameters for sociability: repeatability (R) and repeatable influence (RI), that indicate whether direct and indirect genetic effects respectively are likely. I also estimate the interaction coefficient (Ψ), which quantifies how strongly a partner's trait influences the phenotype of the focal individual and is key in models for the evolution of interacting phenotypes. Focal individuals were somewhat repeatable for sociability across a 3-week period (R = 0.080), and partners also had marginally consistent effects on focal sociability (RI = 0.053). The interaction coefficient was non-zero, although in opposite sign for the sexes; males preferred to associate with larger individuals (Ψmale = -0.129), while females preferred to associate with smaller individuals (Ψfemale = 0.071). Individual sociability was consistent between dyadic trials and in social networks of groups. These results provide phenotypic evidence that direct and indirect genetic effects have limited influence on sociability, with perhaps most evolutionary potential stemming from heritable effects of the body mass of partners. Sex-specific interaction coefficients may produce sexual conflict and the evolution of sexual dimorphism in social behaviour.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David N Fisher
- School of Biological Sciences, King's College, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Rojek JJ, Waszak P, Bidzan-Bluma I, Sanewska A, Stępień J, Michalski T, Lorettu L, Meloni R, Chu CS, Abboud M, Grabowski J. Self-Assessed Personality Traits and Adherence to the COVID-19 Lockdown. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 20:521. [PMID: 36612843 PMCID: PMC9819452 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20010521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, has forced all countries affected by it to introduce quarantine and isolation to prevent the spread of the virus, as well as masking and distancing. Not everyone is equally willing to follow the rules related to limit the extent of the coronavirus epidemic. This might be connected with personality traits, especially openness, positive attitude, and optimism. Materials and Methods: An online survey was created and completed by participants in April-May 2020. Self-assessment of personality traits and adherence to lockdown recommendations were assessed. A total of 7404 participants took part in the study, mainly from Poland (83.6%) and Italy (12.7%). Univariate and multivariate regression analysis was performed. Results: The participants were divided into groups depending on the degree of compliance with the lockdown rules. In the multivariate analysis, variables that increased the odds for stricter lockdown compliance were temporary work suspension OR 1.27 (95% CI 1.10-1.48), income level "we can't handle this situation" OR 1.67 (95%CI 1.20-2.33), and junior high school education OR 1.68 (95% CI 1.13-2.50). Other significant factors included age and place of residence. Each point of self-assessed sociability OR 1.07 (95% CI 1.00-1.13) also increased the likelihood of adhering to lockdown rules. Conclusions: Taking the basic demographic characteristics as well as working and health environment conditions traits into account may be helpful when forecasting epidemiological compliance during a pandemic, as well as in other public health tasks. The key role of self-assessed personality traits was not confirmed in this study. Reliability of the results is limited by significant disproportions in the size of the study groups.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jakub Jan Rojek
- Adult Psychiatry Scientific Circle, Department of Developmental Psychiatry, Psychotic and Geriatric Disorders, Medical University of Gdańsk, 80-282 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Przemysław Waszak
- Departament of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Medical University of Gdańsk, 80-210 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Ilona Bidzan-Bluma
- Departament of Psychology, Gdańsk University of Physical Education and Sport, 80-336 Gdansk, Poland
- Institute of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Gdansk, 80-309 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Sanewska
- Adult Psychiatry Scientific Circle, Department of Developmental Psychiatry, Psychotic and Geriatric Disorders, Medical University of Gdańsk, 80-282 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Joanna Stępień
- Department of Socio-Economic Geography, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Gdańsk, 80-309 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Tomasz Michalski
- Department of Regional Development, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Gdańsk, 80-309 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Liliana Lorettu
- Psychiatric Clinic, Department of Medical, Surgical and Experimental Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | | | - Che-Sheng Chu
- Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung 813, Taiwan
- Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung 813, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
| | - Myriam Abboud
- Department of Natural Science and Public Health, Zayed University, Dubai P.O. Box 19282, United Arab Emirates
| | - Jakub Grabowski
- Department of Developmental Psychiatry, Psychotic and Geriatric Disorders, Medical University of Gdańsk, 80-282 Gdańsk, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Vora A, Nguyen AD, Spicer C, Li W. The impact of social isolation on health and behavior in Drosophila melanogaster and beyond. BRAIN SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022. [DOI: 10.26599/bsa.2022.9050016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Many organisms, including humans, have evolved dynamic social behaviors to promote survival. Public health studies show that isolation from social groups is a major risk factor for adverse health outcomes in humans, but these studies lack mechanistic understanding. Animal models can provide insight into the molecular and neural mechanisms underlying how social isolation impacts health through investigations using genetic, genomic, molecular, and neuroscience methods. In this review, we discuss Drosophila melanogaster as a robust genetic model for studying the effects of social isolation and for developing a mechanistic understanding of the perception of social isolation and how it impacts health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aabha Vora
- Laboratory of Genetics, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York 10065, USA
| | - Andrew D. Nguyen
- Laboratory of Genetics, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York 10065, USA
| | - Carmen Spicer
- Laboratory of Genetics, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York 10065, USA
| | - Wanhe Li
- Department of Biology, Center for Biological Clocks Research, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Romano V, Lussiana A, Monteith KM, MacIntosh AJJ, Vale PF. Host genetics and pathogen species modulate infection-induced changes in social aggregation behaviour. Biol Lett 2022; 18:20220233. [PMID: 36043302 PMCID: PMC9428545 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2022.0233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Identifying how infection modifies host behaviours that determine social contact networks is important for understanding heterogeneity in infectious disease dynamics. Here, we investigate whether group social behaviour is modified during bacterial infection in fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster) according to pathogen species, infectious dose, host genetic background and sex. In one experiment, we find that systemic infection with four different bacterial species results in a reduction in the mean pairwise distance within infected female flies, and that the extent of this change depends on pathogen species. However, susceptible flies did not show any evidence of avoidance in the presence of infected flies. In a separate experiment, we observed genetic- and sex-based variation in social aggregation within infected, same-sex groups, with infected female flies aggregating more closely than infected males. In general, our results confirm that bacterial infection induces changes in fruit fly behaviour across a range of pathogen species, but also highlight that these effects vary between fly genetic backgrounds and can be sex-specific. We discuss possible explanations for sex differences in social aggregation and their consequences for individual variation in pathogen transmission.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valéria Romano
- IMBE, Aix Marseille Univ., Avignon Univ., CNRS, IRD, Marseille, France.,Kyoto University Wildlife Research Center, Japan
| | - Amy Lussiana
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Katy M Monteith
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | | | - Pedro F Vale
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Golab MJ, Sniegula S, Antoł A, Brodin T. Adult insect personality in the wild- Calopteryx splendens as a model for field studies. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:18467-18476. [PMID: 35003685 PMCID: PMC8717306 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.8439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Revised: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal personality has received increasing interest and acknowledgment within ecological research over the past two decades. However, some areas are still poorly studied and need to be developed. For instance, field studies focused on invertebrates are currently highly underrepresented in the literature. More studies including a wider variety of traits measured and species tested are needed to improve our understanding of trait-correlation patterns and generalities. We studied nine behavioral traits, in the damselfly Calopteryx splendens, from an array of three experiments: (i) courtship, (ii) aggressiveness, and (iii) boldness, and calculated their repeatability. The behaviors were measured twice in two different contexts: (i) undisturbed territory and (ii) partially deteriorated territory. Traits related to courtship and boldness were all repeatable across the two contexts. Among aggressive behaviors, only one trait (number of hits) was repeatable. This work demonstrates, for the first time, the presence of within-population personality differences in an adult damselfly in the wild. We further propose C. splendens as a promising model species for testing personality in the wild under highly controlled environmental conditions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria J. Golab
- Institute of Nature ConservationPolish Academy of SciencesKrakówPoland
| | - Szymon Sniegula
- Institute of Nature ConservationPolish Academy of SciencesKrakówPoland
| | - Andrzej Antoł
- Institute of Nature ConservationPolish Academy of SciencesKrakówPoland
| | - Tomas Brodin
- Department of Wildlife, Fish and Environmental StudiesSwedish University of Agricultural SciencesUmeåSweden
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Scott AM, Dworkin I, Dukas R. Evolution of sociability by artificial selection. Evolution 2021; 76:541-553. [PMID: 34605553 DOI: 10.1111/evo.14370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Revised: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
There has been extensive research on the ecology and evolution of social life in animals that live in groups. Less attention, however, has been devoted to apparently solitary species, even though recent research indicates that they also possess complex social behaviors. To address this knowledge gap, we artificially selected on sociability, defined as the tendency to engage in nonaggressive activities with others, in fruit flies. Our goal was to quantify the factors that determine the level of sociability and the traits correlated with this feature. After 25 generations of selection, the high-sociability lineages showed sociability scores about 50% higher than did the low-sociability lineages. Experiments using the evolved lineages indicated that there were no differences in mating success between flies from the low and high lineages. Both males and females from the low lineages, however, were more aggressive than males and females from the high lineages. Finally, the evolved lineages maintained their sociability scores after 10 generations of relaxed selection, suggesting no costs to maintaining low and high sociability, at least under our settings. Sociability is a complex trait, which we currently assess through genomic work on the evolved lineages.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew M Scott
- Animal Behaviour Group, Department of Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Ian Dworkin
- Department of Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Reuven Dukas
- Animal Behaviour Group, Department of Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Abstract
The past 2 decades have seen fruit flies being widely adopted for research on social behavior and aggression. This fruitful research, however, has not been well tied to fruit flies' natural history. To address this knowledge gap, I conducted a field study. My goal was to inform future research conducted in artificial surroundings, and to inspire new investigations that can rely more heavily on fruit flies' actual natural behavior. My two main novel findings were first, that flies in the field showed significant sociability, as they formed social groups rather than dispersed randomly among fruits of similar quality. Second, males showed fair levels of aggression towards each other as indicated by a lunging rate of 17 per hour, and lower rates of wing threat and boxing. Courtship was the most prominent activity on fruits, with females rejecting almost all males' advances. This resulted in an estimated mating rate of 0.6 per female per day. Flies showed a striking peak of activity early in the mornings, even at cold temperatures, followed by inactivity for much of the day and night. Flies, however, handled well high temperatures approaching 40 °C by hiding away from fruit and concentrating activity in the cooler, early mornings. My field work highlights a few promising lines of future research informed by fruit flies' natural history. Most importantly, we do not understand the intriguing dynamics that generate significant sociability despite frequent aggressive interactions on fruits. Males' responses to female rejection signals varied widely, perhaps because the signals differed in information content perceived by flies but not humans. Finally, flies tolerated cold early mornings perhaps owing to fitness benefits associated with increased mating and feeding opportunities at this time. Flies were adept at handling very high temperatures under the natural daily temperature fluctuations and availability of shelters, and this can inform more realistic research on the effects of global warming on animals in their natural settings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Reuven Dukas
- Animal Behaviour Group, Department of Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Filice DCS, Bhargava R, Dukas R. Female mating experience and genetic background independently influence male mating success in fruit flies. J Evol Biol 2020; 34:309-318. [PMID: 33128417 DOI: 10.1111/jeb.13729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Revised: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 10/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
When the reproductive interests of males and females conflict, males can evolve traits that are harmful to females, and females can coevolve traits to resist this harm. In the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, there is genetic variation in female resistance traits, which can affect the pre- and post-mating success of males that try to mate with them. However, it is not clear to what extent the expression of these phenotypes can be modified by environmental factors such as sociosexual experience. Here, we tested how the genetic background of a female and her previous mating experience interact to affect the mating success of focal males. In the experience phase, we placed females from 28 distinct genetic backgrounds individually either with a single male (low conflict) or with three males (high conflict) for 48 hr. In the subsequent test phase, we measured the mating and post-mating fertilization success of focal males paired individually with each female. We found that focal males paired with females from the high-conflict treatment were less successful at mating, took longer to mate when they were successful, and had a lower proportion of paternity share. Furthermore, we identified significant female genetic variation associated with male mating success. These results indicate that female experience, along with intrinsic genetic factors, can independently influence different fitness components of her subsequent mates and has implications for our understanding of plastic female mating strategies and the evolution of sexually antagonistic traits in males and females.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David C S Filice
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Rajat Bhargava
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Reuven Dukas
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Yost RT, Robinson JW, Baxter CM, Scott AM, Brown LP, Aletta MS, Hakimjavadi R, Lone A, Cumming RC, Dukas R, Mozer B, Simon AF. Abnormal Social Interactions in a Drosophila Mutant of an Autism Candidate Gene: Neuroligin 3. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E4601. [PMID: 32610435 PMCID: PMC7370170 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21134601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2020] [Revised: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Social interactions are typically impaired in neuropsychiatric disorders such as autism, for which the genetic underpinnings are very complex. Social interactions can be modeled by analysis of behaviors, including social spacing, sociability, and aggression, in simpler organisms such as Drosophila melanogaster. Here, we examined the effects of mutants of the autism-related gene neuroligin 3 (nlg3) on fly social and non-social behaviors. Startled-induced negative geotaxis is affected by a loss of function nlg3 mutation. Social space and aggression are also altered in a sex- and social-experience-specific manner in nlg3 mutant flies. In light of the conserved roles that neuroligins play in social behavior, our results offer insight into the regulation of social behavior in other organisms, including humans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ryley T. Yost
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Western University, London, ON N6A 5B7, Canada; (R.T.Y.); (J.W.R.); (L.P.B.); (M.S.A.); (R.H.); (A.L.); (R.C.C.)
| | - J. Wesley Robinson
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Western University, London, ON N6A 5B7, Canada; (R.T.Y.); (J.W.R.); (L.P.B.); (M.S.A.); (R.H.); (A.L.); (R.C.C.)
| | - Carling M. Baxter
- Animal Behaviour Group, Department of Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour (PNB) McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1, Canada; (C.M.B.); (A.M.S.); (R.D.)
| | - Andrew M. Scott
- Animal Behaviour Group, Department of Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour (PNB) McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1, Canada; (C.M.B.); (A.M.S.); (R.D.)
| | - Liam P. Brown
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Western University, London, ON N6A 5B7, Canada; (R.T.Y.); (J.W.R.); (L.P.B.); (M.S.A.); (R.H.); (A.L.); (R.C.C.)
| | - M. Sol Aletta
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Western University, London, ON N6A 5B7, Canada; (R.T.Y.); (J.W.R.); (L.P.B.); (M.S.A.); (R.H.); (A.L.); (R.C.C.)
| | - Ramtin Hakimjavadi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Western University, London, ON N6A 5B7, Canada; (R.T.Y.); (J.W.R.); (L.P.B.); (M.S.A.); (R.H.); (A.L.); (R.C.C.)
| | - Asad Lone
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Western University, London, ON N6A 5B7, Canada; (R.T.Y.); (J.W.R.); (L.P.B.); (M.S.A.); (R.H.); (A.L.); (R.C.C.)
| | - Robert C. Cumming
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Western University, London, ON N6A 5B7, Canada; (R.T.Y.); (J.W.R.); (L.P.B.); (M.S.A.); (R.H.); (A.L.); (R.C.C.)
| | - Reuven Dukas
- Animal Behaviour Group, Department of Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour (PNB) McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4K1, Canada; (C.M.B.); (A.M.S.); (R.D.)
| | - Brian Mozer
- Office of Research Integrity, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, Rockville, MD 20889, USA;
| | - Anne F. Simon
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Western University, London, ON N6A 5B7, Canada; (R.T.Y.); (J.W.R.); (L.P.B.); (M.S.A.); (R.H.); (A.L.); (R.C.C.)
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Baxter CM, Yan JL, Dukas R. Genetic variation in sexual aggression and the factors that determine forced copulation success. Anim Behav 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2019.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
|
13
|
Ferreira CH, Moita MA. What can a non-eusocial insect tell us about the neural basis of group behaviour? CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2019; 36:118-124. [PMID: 31563022 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2019.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2019] [Revised: 08/25/2019] [Accepted: 09/03/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Group behaviour has been extensively studied in canonically social swarming, shoaling and flocking vertebrates and invertebrates, providing great insight into the behavioural and ecological aspects of group living. However, the search for its neuronal basis is lagging behind. In the natural environment, Drosophila melanogaster, increasingly used as a model to study neuronal circuits and behaviour, spend their lives surrounded by several conspecifics of different stages, as well as heterospecifics. Despite their dynamic multi-organism natural environment, the neuronal basis of social behaviours has been typically studied in dyadic interactions, such as mating or aggression. This review will focus on recent studies regarding how the behaviour of fruit flies can be shaped by the nature of the surrounding group. We argue that the rich social environment of Drosophila melanogaster, its arsenal of neurogenetic tools and the ability to use large sample sizes for detailed quantitative behavioural analysis makes this species ideal for mechanistic studies of group behaviour.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Clara H Ferreira
- Champalimaud Research, Champalimaud Center for the Unknown, 1400-038 Lisbon, Portugal.
| | - Marta A Moita
- Champalimaud Research, Champalimaud Center for the Unknown, 1400-038 Lisbon, Portugal.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Brenman-Suttner DB, Yost RT, Frame AK, Robinson JW, Moehring AJ, Simon AF. Social behavior and aging: A fly model. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2019; 19:e12598. [PMID: 31286644 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2018] [Revised: 07/02/2019] [Accepted: 07/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The field of behavioral genetics has recently begun to explore the effect of age on social behaviors. Such studies are particularly important, as certain neuropsychiatric disorders with abnormal social interactions, like autism and schizophrenia, have been linked to older parents. Appropriate social interaction can also have a positive impact on longevity, and is associated with successful aging in humans. Currently, there are few genetic models for understanding the effect of aging on social behavior and its potential transgenerational inheritance. The fly is emerging as a powerful model for identifying the basic molecular mechanisms underlying neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders. In this review, we discuss these recent advancements, with a focus on how studies in Drosophila melanogaster have provided insight into the effect of aging on aspects of social behavior, including across generations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dova B Brenman-Suttner
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Biology, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ryley T Yost
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ariel K Frame
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - J Wesley Robinson
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Amanda J Moehring
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Anne F Simon
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Kacsoh BZ, Bozler J, Bosco G. Drosophila species learn dialects through communal living. PLoS Genet 2018; 14:e1007430. [PMID: 30024883 PMCID: PMC6053138 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1007430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2018] [Accepted: 05/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Many species are able to share information about their environment by communicating through auditory, visual, and olfactory cues. In Drosophila melanogaster, exposure to parasitoid wasps leads to a decline in egg laying, and exposed females communicate this threat to naïve flies, which also depress egg laying. We find that species across the genus Drosophila respond to wasps by egg laying reduction, activate cleaved caspase in oocytes, and communicate the presence of wasps to naïve individuals. Communication within a species and between closely related species is efficient, while more distantly related species exhibit partial communication. Remarkably, partial communication between some species is enhanced after a cohabitation period that requires exchange of visual and olfactory signals. This interspecies “dialect learning” requires neuronal cAMP signaling in the mushroom body, suggesting neuronal plasticity facilitates dialect learning and memory. These observations establish Drosophila as genetic models for interspecies social communication and evolution of dialects. In this study, we find that many different Drosophila species never having been exposed to parasitoid wasps can trigger caspase activation in the ovary and depress egg-laying when placed next to flies that had visual experience with wasps. Interestingly, when teacher flies of one species are placed with a student of a different species, communication exists, to varying degrees, which seems dependent on evolutionary relatedness. Cohabitation of two species that can partially communicate can learn each other’s “dialect”, yielding effective interspecies communication. There are various inputs involved in dialect learning, including the presence of visual and olfactory cues and memory functions, including genes implicated in social learning defects in murine models, such as PTEN. The neuroplasticity of adult Drosophila allows for learning of dialects, but the specific dialect learned is dependent on social interactions exclusive to a communal environmental context, which provides both visual and olfactory inputs. We find flies can communicate with one another about an anticipated danger, which is suggestive of a fly “language.” The presence of a neurologically plastic system, allowing for social learning, can subsequently lead to a dramatic physiological response, requiring active learning and memory formation through integration of multiple inputs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Balint Z. Kacsoh
- Department of Molecular and Systems Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, United States of America
| | - Julianna Bozler
- Department of Molecular and Systems Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, United States of America
| | - Giovanni Bosco
- Department of Molecular and Systems Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|