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Kareklas K, Oliveira RF. Emotional contagion and prosocial behaviour in fish: An evolutionary and mechanistic approach. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2024; 163:105780. [PMID: 38955311 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2024.105780] [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: 01/05/2024] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
In this review, we consider the definitions and experimental approaches to emotional contagion and prosocial behaviour in mammals and explore their evolutionary conceptualisation for studying their occurrence in the evolutionarily divergent vertebrate group of ray-finned fish. We present evidence for a diverse set of fish phenotypes that meet definitional criteria for prosocial behaviour and emotional contagion and discuss conserved mechanisms that may account for some preserved social capacities in fish. Finally, we provide some considerations on how to address the question of interdependency between emotional contagion and prosocial response, highlighting the importance of recognition processes, decision-making systems, and ecological context for providing evolutionary explanations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyriacos Kareklas
- Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, R. Q.ta Grande 6, Oeiras 2780-156, Portugal
| | - Rui F Oliveira
- Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, R. Q.ta Grande 6, Oeiras 2780-156, Portugal; ISPA - Instituto Universitário, Rua Jardim do Tabaco 34, Lisboa 1149-041, Portugal.
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2
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Culbert BM, Ligocki IY, Salena MG, Wong MYL, Hamilton IM, Bernier NJ, Balshine S. Social regulation of arginine vasopressin and oxytocin systems in a wild group-living fish. Horm Behav 2024; 161:105521. [PMID: 38452613 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2024.105521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
The neuropeptides arginine vasopressin (AVP) and oxytocin (OXT) are key regulators of social behaviour across vertebrates. However, much of our understanding of how these neuropeptide systems interact with social behaviour is centred around laboratory studies which fail to capture the social and physiological challenges of living in the wild. To evaluate relationships between these neuropeptide systems and social behaviour in the wild, we studied social groups of the cichlid fish Neolamprologus pulcher in Lake Tanganyika, Africa. We first used SCUBA to observe the behaviour of focal group members and then measured transcript abundance of key components of the AVP and OXT systems across different brain regions. While AVP is often associated with male-typical behaviours, we found that dominant females had higher expression of avp and its receptor (avpr1a2) in the preoptic area of the brain compared to either dominant males or subordinates of either sex. Dominant females also generally had the highest levels of leucyl-cystinyl aminopeptidase (lnpep)-which inactivates AVP and OXT-throughout the brain, potentially indicating greater overall activity (i.e., production, release, and turnover) of the AVP system in dominant females. Expression of OXT and its receptors did not differ across social ranks. However, dominant males that visited the brood chamber more often had lower preoptic expression of OXT receptor a (oxtra) suggesting a negative relationship between OXT signalling and parental care in males of this species. Overall, these results advance our understanding of the relationships between complex social behaviours and neuroendocrine systems under natural settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brett M Culbert
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Isaac Y Ligocki
- Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA; Department of Biology, Millersville University, Millersville, PA, USA
| | - Matthew G Salena
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Marian Y L Wong
- School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Ian M Hamilton
- Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA; Department of Mathematics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Nicholas J Bernier
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Sigal Balshine
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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3
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La Loggia O, Wilson AJ, Taborsky B. Early social complexity influences social behaviour but not social trajectories in a cooperatively breeding cichlid fish. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2024; 11:230740. [PMID: 38571911 PMCID: PMC10990469 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.230740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
Social competence-defined as the ability to optimize social behaviour according to available social information-can be influenced by the social environment experienced in early life. In cooperatively breeding vertebrates, the current group size influences behavioural phenotypes, but it is not known whether the group size experienced in early life influences behavioural phenotypes generally or social competence specifically. We tested whether being reared in large versus small groups for the first two months of life affects social behaviours, and associated life-history traits, in the cooperatively breeding cichlid Neolamprologus pulcher between the ages of four and twelve months. As we predicted, fish raised in larger and more complex groups showed higher social competence later in life. This was shown in several ways: they exhibited more, and earlier, submissive behaviour in response to aggression from a dominant conspecific, and-in comparison to fish raised in small groups-they exhibited more flexibility in the expression of submissive behaviour. By contrast, there was no evidence that early social complexity, as captured by the group size, affects aggression or exploration behaviour nor did it influence the propensity to disperse or show helping behaviour. Our results emphasize the importance of early-life social complexity for the development of social competence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Océane La Loggia
- Institute for Ecology and Evolution, Behavioural Ecology Division, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Alastair J. Wilson
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Penryn, UK
| | - Barbara Taborsky
- Institute for Ecology and Evolution, Behavioural Ecology Division, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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4
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Pouso P, Cabana Á, Francia V, Silva A. Vasotocin but not isotocin is involved in the emergence of the dominant-subordinate status in males of the weakly electric fish, Gymnotus omarorum. Horm Behav 2024; 158:105446. [PMID: 37945472 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2023.105446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
The establishment of the dominant-subordinate status implies a clear behavioral asymmetry between contenders that arises immediately after the resolution of the agonistic encounter and persists during the maintenance of stable dominance hierarchies. Changes in the activity of the brain social behavior network (SBN) are postulated to be responsible for the establishment and maintenance of the dominant-subordinate status. The hypothalamic nonapeptides of the vasopressin (AVP) and oxytocin (OT) families are known to modulate the activity of the SBN in a context-dependent manner across vertebrates, including status-dependent modulations. We searched for status-dependent asymmetries in AVP-like (vasotocin, AVT) and OT-like (isotocin, IT) cell number and activation immediately after the establishment of dominance in males of the weakly electric fish, Gymnotus omarorum, which displays the best understood example of non-breeding territorial aggression among teleosts. We used immunolabeling (FOS, AVT, and IT) of preoptic area (POA) neurons after dyadic agonistic encounters. This study is among the first to show in teleosts that AVT, but not IT, is involved in the establishment of the dominant-subordinate status. We also found status-dependent subregion-specific changes of AVT cell number and activation. These results confirm the involvement of AVT in the establishment of dominance and support the speculation that AVT is released from dominants' AVT neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Pouso
- Depto Histología y Embriología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo 11800, Uruguay; Unidad Bases Neurales de la Conducta, Departamento de Neurofisiología Celular y Molecular, IIBCE, Montevideo 11600, Uruguay
| | - Álvaro Cabana
- Instituto de Fundamentos y Métodos, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad de la República, Montevideo 11800, Uruguay
| | - Virginia Francia
- Depto Histología y Embriología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo 11800, Uruguay
| | - Ana Silva
- Unidad Bases Neurales de la Conducta, Departamento de Neurofisiología Celular y Molecular, IIBCE, Montevideo 11600, Uruguay; Laboratorio de Neurociencias, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo 11400, Uruguay.
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5
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Manara V, Ruberto T, Swaney WT, Reddon AR. Subordinate submissive responses are predicted by dominant behaviour in a cooperatively breeding fish. BEHAVIOUR 2022. [DOI: 10.1163/1568539x-bja10192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
In complex social groups, animals rely on communication to facilitate priority access to resources and minimise the costs of conflict. Animals typically have more aggression signals than submission signals. However, some social species do show multiple submission signals, and the context in which these different signals are used is often not well understood. In the current study, we assessed agonistic interactions within groups of the cooperatively breeding daffodil cichlid fish (Neolamprologus pulcher) to investigate the relationship between the aggressive behaviours of the dominant breeding pair, and the submissive responses of the highest ranked subordinate within the group. Daffodil cichlids may respond to aggression by fleeing or by the production of either a tail quiver display or a head up display. Among the two submission signals, the tail quiver display was used more frequently in response to a threat display, while head up displays were produced approximately equally in response to both threat displays and overt aggression. An exaggerated version of the head up display was given more often in response to overt aggression, suggesting a graded submissive response both within and between the two submission signals. Within fish, the frequency of head up displays, but not tail quiver displays, correlated positively with the frequency of threat displays received. The current study helps us to better understand the use of submission signals in a highly social vertebrate and sheds light on submission as an understudied aspect of communication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Manara
- School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK
| | - Tommaso Ruberto
- School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK
| | - William T. Swaney
- School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK
| | - Adam R. Reddon
- School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK
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6
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Oliveira JA, da Silva Souza JG, de Jesus Paula DA, Carmo Rodrigues Virote BD, Murgas LDS. Oxytocin reduces the frequency of aggressive behaviours in male betta fish (Betta splendens). Behav Processes 2022; 200:104689. [PMID: 35718243 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2022.104689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of visual isolation and the influence of oxytocin on the aggressive behaviour of male Betta splendens and produce an ethogram for analyses. In the first stage, the fish (n=6) were kept for 60 days in a recirculation system, maintaining visual contact. After this period, the mirror test was applied. The same procedure was performed with the same individuals after 30 days of visual isolation. Visual isolation did no effect on the aggressive behaviour. Application of oxytocin (2.5µg/g) for 1h (twice) in this first stage was also conducted after the mirror test. The effect of exposure to oxytocin was evaluated by applying the mirror test 24hours after the second exposure. The second stage was conducted with another 10 individuals exposed to oxytocin (7.5µg/g) for 1h, after which the mirror test was performed. Exposure to oxytocin (2.5µg/g) did not effect on combat-related behaviours. However, in the second stage influenced all behaviours related to combat and display, with an increase in the frequency of "rest" behaviour. The results indicate that exposure to a neuropeptide at a dose of 7.5µg/g reduces the frequency of aggressive behaviour of male Betta splendens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Júlia Alvarenga Oliveira
- Department of Biology, Natural Sciences Institute of Federal University of Lavras, UFLA, Rua Doutor Silvio Menicucci, s/n, Lavras 37200-900, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - José Gilmar da Silva Souza
- Department of Animal Science, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine of Federal University of Lavras, UFLA, Rua Doutor Silvio Menicucci, s/n, Lavras 37200-900, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Daniella Aparecida de Jesus Paula
- Postgraduate Program in Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine of Federal University of Lavras, UFLA, Rua Doutor Silvio Menicucci, s/n, Lavras 37200-900, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| | - Bárbara do Carmo Rodrigues Virote
- Postgraduate Program in Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine of Federal University of Lavras, UFLA, Rua Doutor Silvio Menicucci, s/n, Lavras 37200-900, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Luis David Solis Murgas
- Postgraduate Program in Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine of Federal University of Lavras, UFLA, Rua Doutor Silvio Menicucci, s/n, Lavras 37200-900, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
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7
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Brandl HB, Pruessner JC, Farine DR. The social transmission of stress in animal collectives. Proc Biol Sci 2022; 289:20212158. [PMID: 35538776 PMCID: PMC9091854 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2021.2158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The stress systems are powerful mediators between the organism's systemic dynamic equilibrium and changes in its environment beyond the level of anticipated fluctuations. Over- or under-activation of the stress systems' responses can impact an animal's health, survival and reproductive success. While physiological stress responses and their influence on behaviour and performance are well understood at the individual level, it remains largely unknown whether-and how-stressed individuals can affect the stress systems of other group members, and consequently their collective behaviour. Stressed individuals could directly signal the presence of a stressor (e.g. via an alarm call or pheromones), or an acute or chronic activation of the stress systems could be perceived by others (as an indirect cue) and spread via social contagion. Such social transmission of stress responses could then amplify the effects of stressors by impacting social interactions, social dynamics and the collective performance of groups. As the neuroendocrine pathways of the stress response are highly conserved among vertebrates, transmission of physiological stress states could be more widespread among non-human animals than previously thought. We therefore suggest that identifying the extent to which stress transmission modulates animal collectives represents an important research avenue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanja B. Brandl
- Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour, University of Konstanz, 78457 Konstanz, Germany
- Department of Collective Behaviour, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, 78457 Konstanz, Germany
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jens C. Pruessner
- Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour, University of Konstanz, 78457 Konstanz, Germany
- Department of Psychology, University of Konstanz, 78457 Konstanz, Germany
| | - Damien R. Farine
- Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour, University of Konstanz, 78457 Konstanz, Germany
- Department of Collective Behaviour, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, 78457 Konstanz, Germany
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
- Division of Ecology and Evolution, Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia
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8
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Transcriptomes of testis and pituitary from male Nile tilapia (O. niloticus L.) in the context of social status. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0268140. [PMID: 35544481 PMCID: PMC9094562 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0268140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
African cichlids are well established models for studying social hierarchies in teleosts and elucidating the effects social dominance has on gene expression. Ascension in the social hierarchy has been found to increase plasma levels of steroid hormones, follicle stimulating hormone (Fsh) and luteinizing hormone (Lh) as well as gonadosomatic index (GSI). Furthermore, the expression of genes related to gonadotropins and steroidogenesis and signaling along the brain-pituitary-gonad axis (BPG-axis) is affected by changes of an animal’s social status. In this study, we use RNA-sequencing to obtain an in-depth look at the transcriptomes of testes and pituitaries from dominant and subordinate male Nile tilapia living in long-term stable social hierarchies. This allows us to draw conclusions about factors along the brain-pituitary-gonad axis that are involved in maintaining dominance over weeks or even months. We identify a number of genes that are differentially regulated between dominant and subordinate males and show that in high-ranking fish this subset of genes is generally upregulated. Genes differentially expressed between the two social groups comprise growth factors, related binding proteins and receptors, components of Wnt-, Tgfβ- and retinoic acid-signaling pathway, gonadotropin signaling and steroidogenesis pathways. The latter is backed up by elevated levels of 11-ketotestosterone, testosterone and estradiol in dominant males. Luteinizing hormone (Lh) is found in higher concentration in the plasma of long-term dominant males than in subordinate animals. Our results both strengthen the existing models and propose new candidates for functional studies to expand our understanding of social phenomena in teleost fish.
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9
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Maruska KP, Anselmo CM, King T, Mobley RB, Ray EJ, Wayne R. Endocrine and neuroendocrine regulation of social status in cichlid fishes. Horm Behav 2022; 139:105110. [PMID: 35065406 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2022.105110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2021] [Revised: 12/28/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Position in a dominance hierarchy profoundly impacts group members' survival, health, and reproductive success. Thus, understanding the mechanisms that regulate or are associated with an individuals' social position is important. Across taxa, various endocrine and neuroendocrine signaling systems are implicated in the control of social rank. Cichlid fishes, with their often-limited resources of food, shelter, and mates that leads to competition, have provided important insights on the proximate and ultimate mechanisms related to establishment and maintenance of dominance hierarchies. Here we review the existing information on the relationships between endocrine (e.g., circulating hormones, gonadal and other tissue measures) and neuroendocrine (e.g., central neuropeptides, biogenic amines, steroids) systems and dominant and subordinate social rank in male cichlids. Much of the current literature is focused on only a few representative cichlids, particularly the African Astatotilapia burtoni, and several other African and Neotropical species. Many hormonal regulators show distinct differences at multiple biological levels between dominant and subordinate males, but generalizations are complicated by variations in experimental paradigms, methodological approaches, and in the reproductive and parental care strategies of the study species. Future studies that capitalize on the diversity of hierarchical structures among cichlids should provide insights towards better understanding the endocrine and neuroendocrine mechanisms contributing to social rank. Further, examination of this topic in cichlids will help reveal the selective pressures driving the evolution of endocrine-related phenotypic traits that may facilitate an individual's ability to acquire and maintain a specific social rank to improve survival and reproductive success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen P Maruska
- Department of Biological Sciences, 202 Life Sciences Bldg., Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, United States of America.
| | - Chase M Anselmo
- Department of Biological Sciences, 202 Life Sciences Bldg., Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, United States of America
| | - Teisha King
- Department of Biological Sciences, 202 Life Sciences Bldg., Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, United States of America
| | - Robert B Mobley
- Department of Biological Sciences, 202 Life Sciences Bldg., Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, United States of America
| | - Emily J Ray
- Department of Biological Sciences, 202 Life Sciences Bldg., Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, United States of America
| | - Rose Wayne
- Department of Biological Sciences, 202 Life Sciences Bldg., Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, United States of America
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10
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Lucon-Xiccato T, Montalbano G, Reddon AR, Bertolucci C. Social environment affects inhibitory control via developmental plasticity in a fish. Anim Behav 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2021.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
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11
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Reddon AR, Aubin‐Horth N, Reader SM. Wild guppies from populations exposed to higher predation risk exhibit greater vasotocin brain gene expression. J Zool (1987) 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- A. R. Reddon
- School of Biological and Environmental Sciences Liverpool John Moores University Liverpool UK
- Department of Biology McGill University Montreal Quebec Canada
| | - N. Aubin‐Horth
- Département de Biologie et Institut de Biologie Intégrative et des Systèmes Université Laval Quebec City Québec Canada
| | - S. M. Reader
- Department of Biology McGill University Montreal Quebec Canada
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12
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Abstract
Abstract
Aggression is costly, and animals have evolved tactics to mitigate these costs. Submission signals are an underappreciated example of such adaptations. Here we review submissive behaviour, with an emphasis on non-primates. We highlight the design of submission signals and how such signals can reduce costs. Animal societies necessitate frequent social interactions, which can increase the probability of conflict. Where maintaining group proximity is essential, animals cannot avoid aggression by fleeing. Mutual interest between group members may also select for efficient conflict avoidance and resolution mechanisms. As a result, submission signals may be especially well developed among group living species, helping social animals to overcome potential costs of recurring conflict that could otherwise counter the benefits of group living. Therefore, submission signalling can be a crucial aspect of social living and is deserving of specific attention within the broader context of social evolution and communication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam R. Reddon
- School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK
- Department of Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Tommaso Ruberto
- School of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK
| | - Simon M. Reader
- Department of Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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13
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Rijnders RJP, Dykstra AH, Terburg D, Kempes MM, van Honk J. Sniffing submissiveness? Oxytocin administration in severe psychopathy. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2021; 131:105330. [PMID: 34182248 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2021.105330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2021] [Revised: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Psychopathy is a personality disorder associated with criminal behavior and violent recidivism, and therefore a burden to society. Social dominance is one of the characteristics of psychopathy that might contribute to these problems. Nevertheless, only few studies have objectively measured the relationship between socially dominant behavior and psychopathy. Therefore, the current study assessed performance of 21 forensic PCL-R confirmed psychopathic patients and 24 normal controls on a gaze aversion task, in which slower gaze aversion from masked angry faces compared to masked happy faces is a measure of reactive dominance. Moreover, the current study assessed the potential beneficial effects of the neuropeptide oxytocin. The results showed that psychopaths were not more dominant on the gaze aversion task compared to normal controls. However, the severity of psychopathy was positively correlated with reactive dominance. Crucially, a single nasal spray administration of oxytocin abolished the connection between psychopathy and reactive dominance. This implies that socially dominant psychopaths might benefit from oxytocin administration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronald J P Rijnders
- Netherlands Institute of Forensic Psychiatry and Psychology, Forensic Observation Clinic "Pieter Baan Centrum", Carl Barksweg 3, 1336 ZL Almere, the Netherlands; Utrecht University, Faculty of Social Sciences, Department of Psychology, Heidelberglaan 8, 3584 CS Utrecht, the Netherlands.
| | - Anouk H Dykstra
- Radboud University Medical Center, Donders Institute for Brain Cognition and Behaviour, Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Postbox: 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
| | - David Terburg
- Utrecht University, Faculty of Social Sciences, Department of Psychology, Heidelberglaan 8, 3584 CS Utrecht, the Netherlands; University of Cape Town, Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, J-Block, Groote Schuur Hospital, Observatory, 7925 Cape Town, South Africa.
| | - Maaike M Kempes
- Leiden University, Faculty of Social Sciences, Institute of Child and Education Studies, Wassenaarseweg 52, 2333 AK Leiden, the Netherlands; Netherlands Institute of Forensic Psychiatry and Psychology, Department of Science and Education, Herman Gorterstraat 5, 3511 EW Utrecht, the Netherlands.
| | - Jack van Honk
- Utrecht University, Faculty of Social Sciences, Department of Psychology, Heidelberglaan 8, 3584 CS Utrecht, the Netherlands; University of Cape Town, Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health, J-Block, Groote Schuur Hospital, Observatory, 7925 Cape Town, South Africa; University of Cape Town, Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine, Anzio Rd, Observatory, 7925 Cape Town, South Africa.
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14
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Cunha-Saraiva F, Martins RST, Power DM, Balshine S, Schaedelin FC. Galanin and prolactin expression in relation to parental care in two sympatric cichlid species from Lake Tanganyika. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2021; 309:113785. [PMID: 33862047 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2021.113785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Revised: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Our understanding of the hormonal mechanisms underlying parental care mainly stems from research on species with uniparental care. Far less is known about the physiological changes underlying motherhood and fatherhood in biparental caring species. Here, using two biparental caring cichlid species (Neolamprologus caudopunctatus and Neolamprologus pulcher), we explored the relative gene-expression levels of two genes implicated in the control of parental care, galanin (gal) and prolactin (prl). We investigated whole brain gene expression levels in both, male and female caring parents, as well as in non-caring individuals of both species. Caring males had higher prl and gal mRNA levels compared to caring females in both fish species. Expression of gal was highest when young were mobile and the need for parental defense was greatest and gal was lowest during the more stationary egg tending phase in N. caudopunctatus. The onset of parenthood was associated with lower expression of prl and higher expression of gal in N. pulcher, but this pattern was not observed in N. caudopunctatus. Our study demonstrates that gal gene expression is correlated with changes in parental care in two biparental cichlid species and extends both knowledge and taxonomic coverage of the possible neurogenetic mechanisms underlying parental care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filipa Cunha-Saraiva
- Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology, Department of Interdisciplinary Life Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Austria.
| | - Rute S T Martins
- Centre of Marine Sciences (CCMAR), University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal
| | - Deborah M Power
- Centre of Marine Sciences (CCMAR), University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal
| | - Sigal Balshine
- Aquatic Behavioural Ecology Laboratory, Department of Psychology, Neuroscience, & Behaviour, McMaster University, Ontario, Canada
| | - Franziska C Schaedelin
- Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology, Department of Interdisciplinary Life Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Austria
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15
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Culbert BM, Ligocki IY, Salena MG, Wong MYL, Bernier NJ, Hamilton IM, Balshine S. Glucocorticoids do not promote prosociality in a wild group-living fish. Horm Behav 2021; 127:104879. [PMID: 33121993 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2020.104879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2020] [Revised: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Individuals often respond to social disturbances by increasing prosociality, which can strengthen social bonds, buffer against stress, and promote overall group cohesion. Given their importance in mediating stress responses, glucocorticoids have received considerable attention as potential proximate regulators of prosocial behaviour during disturbances. However, previous investigations have largely focused on mammals and our understanding of the potential prosocial effects of glucocorticoids across vertebrates more broadly is still lacking. Here, we assessed whether experimentally elevated glucocorticoid levels (simulating endogenous cortisol responses mounted following disturbances) promote prosocial behaviours in wild groups of the cichlid fish, Neolamprologus pulcher. Using SCUBA in Lake Tanganyika, we observed how subordinate group members adjusted affiliation, helping, and submission (all forms of prosocial behaviour) following underwater injections of either cortisol or saline. Cortisol treatment reduced affiliative behaviours-but only in females-suggesting that glucocorticoids may reduce overall prosociality. Fish with elevated glucocorticoid levels did not increase performance of submission or helping behaviours. Taken together, our results do not support a role for glucocorticoids in promoting prosocial behaviour in this species and emphasize the complexity of the proximate mechanisms that underlie prosociality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brett M Culbert
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Isaac Y Ligocki
- Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA; Department of Biology, Millersville University, Millersville, PA, USA
| | - Matthew G Salena
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Marian Y L Wong
- School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Nicholas J Bernier
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ian M Hamilton
- Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA; Department of Mathematics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Sigal Balshine
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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16
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Hellmann JK, Stiver KA, Marsh-Rollo S, Alonzo SH. Defense against outside competition is linked to cooperation in male–male partnerships. Behav Ecol 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arz206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Male–male competition is a well-known driver of reproductive success and sexually selected traits in many species. However, in some species, males work together to court females or defend territories against male competitors. Dominant (nesting) males sire most offspring, but subordinate (satellite) males are better able to obtain fertilizations relative to unpartnered males. Because satellites only gain reproductive success by sneaking, there has been much interest in identifying the mechanisms enforcing satellite cooperation (defense) and reducing satellite sneaking. One such potential mechanism is outside competition: unpartnered satellites can destabilize established male partnerships and may force partnered satellites to restrain from cheating to prevent the dominant male from replacing them with an unpartnered satellite. Here, we manipulated perceived competition in the Mediterranean fish Symphodus ocellatus by presenting an “intruding” satellite male to established nesting and satellite male pairs. Focal satellite aggression to the intruder was higher when focal satellites were less cooperative, suggesting that satellites increase aggression to outside competitors when their social position is less stable. In contrast, nesting male aggression to the intruder satellite increased as spawning activity increased, suggesting that nesting males increase their defense toward outside competitors when their current relationship is productive. We found no evidence of altered spawning activity or nesting/satellite male interactions before and after the presentation. These results collectively suggest that response to outside competition is directly linked to behavioral dynamics between unrelated male partners and may be linked to conflict and cooperation in ways that are similar to group-living species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer K Hellmann
- Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Behavior, School of Integrative Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, USA
| | - Kelly A Stiver
- Psychology Department, Southern Connecticut State University, New Haven, USA
| | - Susan Marsh-Rollo
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, USA
| | - Suzanne H Alonzo
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, USA
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17
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Braga Goncalves I, Radford AN. Experimental evidence that intruder and group member attributes affect outgroup defence and associated within-group interactions in a social fish. Proc Biol Sci 2019; 286:20191261. [PMID: 31594516 PMCID: PMC6790772 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2019.1261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
In many social species, individuals communally defend resources from conspecific outsiders. Participation in defence and in associated within-group interactions, both during and after contests with outgroup rivals, is expected to vary between group members because the threat presented by different outsiders is not the same to each individual. However, experimental tests examining both the contributions to, and the consequences of, outgroup conflict for all group members are lacking. Using groups of the cichlid Neolamprologus pulcher, we simulated territorial intrusions by different-sized female rivals and altered the potential contribution of subordinate females to defence. Dominant females and subordinate females defended significantly more against size- and rank-matched intruders, while males displayed lower and less variable levels of defence. Large and small, but not intermediate-sized, intruders induced increased levels of within-group aggression during intrusions, which was targeted at the subordinate females. Preventing subordinate females from helping in territorial defence led to significant decreases in post-contest within-group and female-specific submissive and affiliative displays. Together, these results show that the defensive contributions of group members vary greatly depending both on their own traits and on intruder identity, and this variation has significant consequences for within-group social dynamics both during and in the aftermath of outgroup contests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ines Braga Goncalves
- School of Biological Sciences/Life Sciences, University of Bristol, 24 Tyndall Avenue, Bristol BS8 1TQ, UK
| | - Andrew N Radford
- School of Biological Sciences/Life Sciences, University of Bristol, 24 Tyndall Avenue, Bristol BS8 1TQ, UK
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18
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Abstract
Living in groups affords individuals many benefits, including the opportunity to reduce stress. In mammals, such 'social buffering' of stress is mediated by affiliative relationships and production of the neuropeptide oxytocin, but whether these mechanisms facilitate social buffering across vertebrates remains an open question. Therefore, we evaluated whether the social environment influenced the behavioural and physiological recovery from an acute stressor in a group-living cichlid, Neolamprologus pulcher. Individual fish that recovered with their social group displayed lower cortisol levels than individuals that recovered alone. This social buffering of the stress response was associated with a tendency towards lower transcript abundance of arginine vasotocin and isotocin in the preoptic area of the brain, suggesting reduced neural activation of the stress axis. Individuals that recovered with their social group quickly resumed normal behaviour but received fewer affiliative acts following the stressor. Further experiments revealed similar cortisol levels between individuals that recovered in visual contact with their own social group and those in visual contact with a novel but non-aggressive social group. Collectively, our results suggest that affiliation and familiarity per se do not mediate social buffering in this group-living cichlid, and the behavioural and physiological mechanisms responsible for social buffering may vary across vertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brett M Culbert
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L8S 4K1
| | - Kathleen M Gilmour
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, 30 Marie Curie Private, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1N 6N5
| | - Sigal Balshine
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L8S 4K1
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19
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Culbert BM, Gilmour KM, Balshine S. Social buffering of stress in a group-living fish. Proc Biol Sci 2019; 286:20191626. [PMID: 31506060 DOI: 10.5061/dryad.7v93210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Living in groups affords individuals many benefits, including the opportunity to reduce stress. In mammals, such 'social buffering' of stress is mediated by affiliative relationships and production of the neuropeptide oxytocin, but whether these mechanisms facilitate social buffering across vertebrates remains an open question. Therefore, we evaluated whether the social environment influenced the behavioural and physiological recovery from an acute stressor in a group-living cichlid, Neolamprologus pulcher. Individual fish that recovered with their social group displayed lower cortisol levels than individuals that recovered alone. This social buffering of the stress response was associated with a tendency towards lower transcript abundance of arginine vasotocin and isotocin in the preoptic area of the brain, suggesting reduced neural activation of the stress axis. Individuals that recovered with their social group quickly resumed normal behaviour but received fewer affiliative acts following the stressor. Further experiments revealed similar cortisol levels between individuals that recovered in visual contact with their own social group and those in visual contact with a novel but non-aggressive social group. Collectively, our results suggest that affiliation and familiarity per se do not mediate social buffering in this group-living cichlid, and the behavioural and physiological mechanisms responsible for social buffering may vary across vertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brett M Culbert
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L8S 4K1
| | - Kathleen M Gilmour
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, 30 Marie Curie Private, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1N 6N5
| | - Sigal Balshine
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L8S 4K1
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20
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Culbert BM, Gilmour KM, Balshine S. Social buffering of stress in a group-living fish. Proc Biol Sci 2019; 286:20191626. [PMID: 31506060 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2019.1626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Living in groups affords individuals many benefits, including the opportunity to reduce stress. In mammals, such 'social buffering' of stress is mediated by affiliative relationships and production of the neuropeptide oxytocin, but whether these mechanisms facilitate social buffering across vertebrates remains an open question. Therefore, we evaluated whether the social environment influenced the behavioural and physiological recovery from an acute stressor in a group-living cichlid, Neolamprologus pulcher. Individual fish that recovered with their social group displayed lower cortisol levels than individuals that recovered alone. This social buffering of the stress response was associated with a tendency towards lower transcript abundance of arginine vasotocin and isotocin in the preoptic area of the brain, suggesting reduced neural activation of the stress axis. Individuals that recovered with their social group quickly resumed normal behaviour but received fewer affiliative acts following the stressor. Further experiments revealed similar cortisol levels between individuals that recovered in visual contact with their own social group and those in visual contact with a novel but non-aggressive social group. Collectively, our results suggest that affiliation and familiarity per se do not mediate social buffering in this group-living cichlid, and the behavioural and physiological mechanisms responsible for social buffering may vary across vertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brett M Culbert
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L8S 4K1
| | - Kathleen M Gilmour
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, 30 Marie Curie Private, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada K1N 6N5
| | - Sigal Balshine
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L8S 4K1
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21
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Thomas JT, Todd EV, Muncaster S, Lokman PM, Damsteegt EL, Liu H, Soyano K, Gléonnec F, Lamm MS, Godwin JR, Gemmell NJ. Conservation and diversity in expression of candidate genes regulating socially-induced female-male sex change in wrasses. PeerJ 2019; 7:e7032. [PMID: 31218121 PMCID: PMC6568253 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.7032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2018] [Accepted: 04/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Fishes exhibit remarkably diverse, and plastic, patterns of sexual development, most striking of which is sequential hermaphroditism, where individuals readily reverse sex in adulthood. How this stunning example of phenotypic plasticity is controlled at a genetic level remains poorly understood. Several genes have been implicated in regulating sex change, yet the degree to which a conserved genetic machinery orchestrates this process has not yet been addressed. Using captive and in-the-field social manipulations to initiate sex change, combined with a comparative qPCR approach, we compared expression patterns of four candidate regulatory genes among three species of wrasses (Labridae)-a large and diverse teleost family where female-to-male sex change is pervasive, socially-cued, and likely ancestral. Expression in brain and gonadal tissues were compared among the iconic tropical bluehead wrasse (Thalassoma bifasciatum) and the temperate spotty (Notolabrus celidotus) and kyusen (Parajulus poecilepterus) wrasses. In all three species, gonadal sex change was preceded by downregulation of cyp19a1a (encoding gonadal aromatase that converts androgens to oestrogens) and accompanied by upregulation of amh (encoding anti-müllerian hormone that primarily regulates male germ cell development), and these genes may act concurrently to orchestrate ovary-testis transformation. In the brain, our data argue against a role for brain aromatase (cyp19a1b) in initiating behavioural sex change, as its expression trailed behavioural changes. However, we find that isotocin (it, that regulates teleost socio-sexual behaviours) expression correlated with dominant male-specific behaviours in the bluehead wrasse, suggesting it upregulation mediates the rapid behavioural sex change characteristic of blueheads and other tropical wrasses. However, it expression was not sex-biased in temperate spotty and kyusen wrasses, where sex change is more protracted and social groups may be less tightly-structured. Together, these findings suggest that while key components of the molecular machinery controlling gonadal sex change are phylogenetically conserved among wrasses, neural pathways governing behavioural sex change may be more variable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jodi T. Thomas
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
- Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand
| | - Erica V. Todd
- Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand
| | - Simon Muncaster
- Faculty of Primary Industries, Environment and Science, Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology, Tauranga, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand
| | - P Mark Lokman
- Department of Zoology, University of Otago, Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand
| | - Erin L. Damsteegt
- Department of Zoology, University of Otago, Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand
| | - Hui Liu
- Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand
| | - Kiyoshi Soyano
- Institute for East China Sea Research, Organization for Marine Science and Technology, Nagasaki University, Taira-machi, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Florence Gléonnec
- Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand
- BIOSIT - Structure Fédérative de Recherche en Biologie-Santé de Rennes, Université Rennes I, Rennes, France
| | - Melissa S. Lamm
- Department of Biological Sciences and WM Keck Center for Behavioral Biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States of America
| | - John R. Godwin
- Department of Biological Sciences and WM Keck Center for Behavioral Biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, United States of America
| | - Neil J. Gemmell
- Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand
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22
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Ramsey ME, Fry D, Cummings ME. Isotocin increases female avoidance of males in a coercive mating system: Assessing the social salience hypothesis of oxytocin in a fish species. Horm Behav 2019; 112:1-9. [PMID: 30902535 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2019.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2018] [Revised: 01/14/2019] [Accepted: 03/08/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The nonapeptide oxytocin (and its fish homolog isotocin (IT)) is an evolutionarily-conserved hormone associated with social behaviors across most vertebrate taxa. Oxytocin has traditionally been regarded as a prosocial hormone, but studies on social cognition in mammalian models suggest it may play a more nuanced role in modulating social discrimination based on social salience and stimulus valence. Here we test IT and its role in regulating female social decision-making and anxiety behaviors in a live-bearing fish with a male coercive mating system. Gambusia affinis males engage in a forced mating strategy, with frequent harassment and attempted copulatory thrusts directed towards unwilling females. Exogenous IT produced anxiolytic responses in female G. affinis that altered exploration (time in center of tank) but not time in dark vs. light regions of the tank. Exogenous IT also produced context-specific changes in social tendency: IT-treated G. affinis females spent less time associating with males while association time with conspecific females was not altered. Further, while overall activity levels were not changed by IT treatment, the amount of social behaviors IT-treated females directed towards males, but not females, was reduced. Our results support the social salience hypothesis of oxytocin action in a teleost and suggest that oxytocin's critical input into social cognitive processing is conserved across vertebrate taxa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary E Ramsey
- Section of Integrative Biology, University of Texas, Austin, TX 78712, USA.
| | - Dustin Fry
- Drexel University Dornsife School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Molly E Cummings
- Section of Integrative Biology, University of Texas, Austin, TX 78712, USA
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23
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Hellmann JK, Hamilton IM. Dominant and subordinate outside options alter help and eviction in a pay-to-stay negotiation model. Behav Ecol 2018. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/ary006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer K Hellmann
- Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Ian M Hamilton
- Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
- Department of Mathematics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
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24
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Hellmann JK, Hamilton IM. Intragroup social dynamics vary with the presence of neighbors in a cooperatively breeding fish. Curr Zool 2018; 65:21-31. [PMID: 30697235 PMCID: PMC6347054 DOI: 10.1093/cz/zoy025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2018] [Accepted: 03/22/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Conflict is an inherent part of social life in group-living species. Group members may mediate conflict through submissive and affiliative behaviors, which can reduce aggression, stabilize dominance hierarchies, and foster group cohesion. The frequency and resolution of within-group conflict may vary with the presence of neighboring groups. Neighbors can threaten the territory or resources of the whole group, promoting behaviors that foster within-group cohesion. However, neighbors may also foster conflict of interests among group members: opportunities for subordinate dispersal may alter conflict among dominants and subordinates while opportunities for extra-pair reproduction may increase conflict between mates. To understand how neighbors mediate within-group conflict in the cooperatively breeding fish Neolamprologus pulcher, we measured behavioral dynamics and social network structure in isolated groups, groups recently exposed to neighbors, and groups with established neighbors. Aggression and submission between the dominant male and female pair were high in isolated groups, but dominant aggression was directly primarily at subordinates when groups had neighbors. This suggests that neighbors attenuate conflict between mates and foster conflict between dominants and subordinates. Further, aggression and submission between similarly sized group members were most frequent when groups had neighbors, suggesting that neighbors induce rank-related conflict. We found relatively little change in within-group affiliative networks across treatments, suggesting that the presence of neighbors does not alter behaviors associated with promoting group cohesion. Collectively, these results provide some of the first empirical insights into the extent to which intragroup behavioral networks are mediated by intergroup interactions and the broader social context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer K Hellmann
- Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Ian M Hamilton
- Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.,Department of Mathematics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
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25
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Balshine S, Wong MY, Reddon AR. Social motivation and conflict resolution tactics as potential building blocks of sociality in cichlid fishes. Behav Processes 2017; 141:152-160. [DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2017.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2016] [Revised: 12/21/2016] [Accepted: 01/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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26
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Reddon AR, O'Connor CM, Nesjan E, Cameron J, Hellmann JK, Ligocki IY, Marsh-Rollo SE, Hamilton IM, Wylie DR, Hurd PL, Balshine S. Isotocin neuronal phenotypes differ among social systems in cichlid fishes. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2017; 4:170350. [PMID: 28573041 PMCID: PMC5451842 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.170350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2017] [Accepted: 04/20/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Social living has evolved numerous times across a diverse array of animal taxa. An open question is how the transition to a social lifestyle has shaped, and been shaped by, the underlying neurohormonal machinery of social behaviour. The nonapeptide neurohormones, implicated in the regulation of social behaviours, are prime candidates for the neuroendocrine substrates of social evolution. Here, we examined the brains of eight cichlid fish species with divergent social systems, comparing the number and size of preoptic neurons that express the nonapeptides isotocin and vasotocin. While controlling for the influence of phylogeny and body size, we found that the highly social cooperatively breeding species (n = 4) had fewer parvocellular isotocin neurons than the less social independently breeding species (n = 4), suggesting that the evolutionary transition to group living and cooperative breeding was associated with a reduction in the number of these neurons. In a complementary analysis, we found that the size and number of isotocin neurons significantly differentiated the cooperatively breeding from the independently breeding species. Our results suggest that isotocin is related to sociality in cichlids and may provide a mechanistic substrate for the evolution of sociality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam R. Reddon
- Department of Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Constance M. O'Connor
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Wildlife Conservation Society Canada, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada
| | - Erin Nesjan
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Jason Cameron
- Department of Psychology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Jennifer K. Hellmann
- Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
- Department of Animal Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL, USA
| | - Isaac Y. Ligocki
- Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
- Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Susan E. Marsh-Rollo
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ian M. Hamilton
- Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
- Department of Mathematics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Douglas R. Wylie
- Department of Psychology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Peter L. Hurd
- Department of Psychology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Sigal Balshine
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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27
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Hellmann JK, Sovic MG, Gibbs HL, Reddon AR, O'Connor CM, Ligocki IY, Marsh-Rollo S, Balshine S, Hamilton IM. Within-group relatedness is correlated with colony-level social structure and reproductive sharing in a social fish. Mol Ecol 2016; 25:4001-13. [PMID: 27297293 DOI: 10.1111/mec.13728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2016] [Revised: 05/28/2016] [Accepted: 06/01/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer K. Hellmann
- Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology; The Ohio State University; 318 West 12th Avenue Columbus OH 43210 USA
| | - Michael G. Sovic
- Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology; The Ohio State University; 318 West 12th Avenue Columbus OH 43210 USA
| | - H. Lisle Gibbs
- Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology; The Ohio State University; 318 West 12th Avenue Columbus OH 43210 USA
| | - Adam R. Reddon
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience, and Behaviour; Aquatic Behavioural Ecology Lab; McMaster University; 1280 Main Street West Hamilton ON Canada L8S 4K1
| | - Constance M. O'Connor
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience, and Behaviour; Aquatic Behavioural Ecology Lab; McMaster University; 1280 Main Street West Hamilton ON Canada L8S 4K1
| | - Isaac Y. Ligocki
- Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology; The Ohio State University; 318 West 12th Avenue Columbus OH 43210 USA
| | - Susan Marsh-Rollo
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience, and Behaviour; Aquatic Behavioural Ecology Lab; McMaster University; 1280 Main Street West Hamilton ON Canada L8S 4K1
| | - Sigal Balshine
- Department of Psychology, Neuroscience, and Behaviour; Aquatic Behavioural Ecology Lab; McMaster University; 1280 Main Street West Hamilton ON Canada L8S 4K1
| | - Ian M. Hamilton
- Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology; The Ohio State University; 318 West 12th Avenue Columbus OH 43210 USA
- Department of Mathematics; The Ohio State University; 231 West 18th Avenue Columbus OH 43210 USA
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28
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Hellmann JK, Ligocki IY, O'Connor CM, Reddon AR, Farmer TM, Marsh-Rollo SE, Balshine S, Hamilton IM. The influence of status and the social environment on energy stores in a social fish. JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2016; 88:1321-1334. [PMID: 26840014 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.12890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2015] [Revised: 09/04/2015] [Accepted: 11/17/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
This study explores how muscle and liver energy stores are linked with social status and the social environment in Neolamprologus pulcher, a cooperatively breeding fish that lives in colonies comprised of up to 200 distinct social groups. Subordinate muscle energy stores were positively correlated with the number of neighbouring social groups in the colony, but this pattern was not observed in dominant N. pulcher. Furthermore, liver energy stores were smaller in dominants living at the edge of the colony compared with those living in the colony centre, with no differences among subordinates in liver energy stores. Subordinate N. pulcher may build up large energy stores in the muscles to fuel rapid growth after dispersal, which could occur more frequently in high-density environments. Dominant N. pulcher may use the more easily mobilized energy stores in the liver to fuel daily activities, which could be more energetically demanding on the edge of the colony as a result of the increased predation defence needed on the edge. Overall, this study demonstrates that both subordinate and dominant physiology in N. pulcher varies with characteristics of the social environment. Furthermore, dominant and subordinate energy storage strategies appear to differ due to status-dependent variation in daily activities and variation in the need to prepare for future reproductive or dispersal opportunities.
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Affiliation(s)
- J K Hellmann
- Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, 318 West 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH, 43210, U.S.A
| | - I Y Ligocki
- Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, 318 West 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH, 43210, U.S.A
| | - C M O'Connor
- Aquatic Behavioural Ecology Lab, Department of Psychology, Neuroscience, and Behaviour, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - A R Reddon
- Aquatic Behavioural Ecology Lab, Department of Psychology, Neuroscience, and Behaviour, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada
- Department of Mathematics, The Ohio State University, 231 West 18th Avenue, Columbus, OH, 43210, U.S.A
| | - T M Farmer
- Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, 318 West 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH, 43210, U.S.A
| | - S E Marsh-Rollo
- Aquatic Behavioural Ecology Lab, Department of Psychology, Neuroscience, and Behaviour, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - S Balshine
- Aquatic Behavioural Ecology Lab, Department of Psychology, Neuroscience, and Behaviour, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - I M Hamilton
- Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, 318 West 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH, 43210, U.S.A
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O'Connor CM, Marsh-Rollo SE, Aubin-Horth N, Balshine S. Species-specific patterns of nonapeptide brain gene expression relative to pair-bonding behavior in grouping and non-grouping cichlids. Horm Behav 2016; 80:30-38. [PMID: 26519858 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2015.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2015] [Revised: 10/18/2015] [Accepted: 10/24/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Comparative studies have revealed that vasopressin-oxytocin pathways are associated with both pair bonding and grouping behavior. However, the relationship between pair bonding and grouping behavior remains unclear. In this study, our aim was to identify whether two species that differ in grouping behavior display a corresponding difference in their pair bonds, and in the underlying vasopressin-oxytocin hormonal pathways. Using two species of cichlid fishes, the highly social Neolamprologus pulcher and the non-social Telmatochromis temporalis, we measured proximity of pairs during pair bond formation, and then measured social behaviors (proximity, aggression, submission, affiliation) and brain gene expression of isotocin and arginine vasotocin (the teleost homologues of oxytocin and vasopressin, respectively), as well as their receptors, after a temporary separation and subsequent reunion of the bonded pairs. Pairs of the social species spent more time in close proximity relative to the non-social species. Rates of aggression increased in both species following the separation and reunion treatment, relative to controls that were not separated. Overall, whole brain expression of isotocin was higher in the social species relative to the non-social species, and correlated with proximity, submission, and affiliation, but only in the social species. Our results suggest that both a social and a non-social cichlid species have similar behavioral responses to a temporary separation from a mate, and we found no difference in the brain gene expression of measured hormones and receptors based on our separation-reunion treatment. However, our results highlight the importance of isotocin in mediating submissive and affiliative behaviors in cichlid fishes, and demonstrate that isotocin has species-specific correlations with socially relevant behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Constance M O'Connor
- Aquatic Behavioural Ecology Lab, Department of Psychology, Neuroscience, and Behaviour, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada.
| | - Susan E Marsh-Rollo
- Aquatic Behavioural Ecology Lab, Department of Psychology, Neuroscience, and Behaviour, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada
| | - Nadia Aubin-Horth
- Département de Biologie and Institut de Biologie Intégrative et des Systèmes, Université Laval, Québec, Québec G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Sigal Balshine
- Aquatic Behavioural Ecology Lab, Department of Psychology, Neuroscience, and Behaviour, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada
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Padurariu M, Prepelita R, Ciobica A, Dobrin R, Timofte D, Stefanescu C, Chirita R. Short Review on the Aggressive Behaviour: Genetical, Biological Aspects and Oxytocin Relevance. INTERNATIONAL LETTERS OF NATURAL SCIENCES 2016. [DOI: 10.56431/p-iavles] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
In this mini-review we were interested in describing the main genetic, biological and mechanistic aspects of the aggressive behaviour in human patients and animal models. It seems that violent behaviour and impulsive traits present a multifactorial substrate, which is determined by genetic and non-genetic factors. Thus, aggressivity is regulated by brain regions such as the amygdala, which controls neural circuits for triggering defensive, aggressive or avoidant behaviour. Moreover, other brain structures such as the anterior cingulate cortex and prefrontal cortex regions could modulate circuits involved in aggression. Regarding the genetic aspects, we could mention the mutations in the monoamine oxidase or the polymorphisms of the genes involved in the metabolism of serotonin, such as tryptophan hydroxylase. Also, besides the low levels of serotonin metabolites, which seem to be associated with impulsive and aggressive traits, there are good evidences that deficiencies in glutamate transmission, as well as testosterone, vasopressin, hypochloesterolemia or oxytocin modifications could be related to the aggressive behaviour. Regarding oxytocin we present here in the last chapter the controversial results from the current literature regarding the various effects exhibited by oxytocin administration on the aggressive behavior, considering the increased interest in understanding the role of oxytocin on the main neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Romeo Dobrin
- "Gr. T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy
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Padurariu M, Prepelita R, Ciobica A, Dobrin R, Timofte D, Stefanescu C, Chirita R. Short Review on the Aggressive Behaviour: Genetical, Biological Aspects and Oxytocin Relevance. INTERNATIONAL LETTERS OF NATURAL SCIENCES 2016. [DOI: 10.18052/www.scipress.com/ilns.52.43] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
In this mini-review we were interested in describing the main genetic, biological and mechanistic aspects of the aggressive behaviour in human patients and animal models. It seems that violent behaviour and impulsive traits present a multifactorial substrate, which is determined by genetic and non-genetic factors. Thus, aggressivity is regulated by brain regions such as the amygdala, which controls neural circuits for triggering defensive, aggressive or avoidant behaviour. Moreover, other brain structures such as the anterior cingulate cortex and prefrontal cortex regions could modulate circuits involved in aggression. Regarding the genetic aspects, we could mention the mutations in the monoamine oxidase or the polymorphisms of the genes involved in the metabolism of serotonin, such as tryptophan hydroxylase. Also, besides the low levels of serotonin metabolites, which seem to be associated with impulsive and aggressive traits, there are good evidences that deficiencies in glutamate transmission, as well as testosterone, vasopressin, hypochloesterolemia or oxytocin modifications could be related to the aggressive behaviour. Regarding oxytocin we present here in the last chapter the controversial results from the current literature regarding the various effects exhibited by oxytocin administration on the aggressive behavior, considering the increased interest in understanding the role of oxytocin on the main neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Romeo Dobrin
- "Gr. T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy
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