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Freiler MK, Smith GT. Neuroendocrine mechanisms contributing to the coevolution of sociality and communication. Front Neuroendocrinol 2023; 70:101077. [PMID: 37217079 PMCID: PMC10527162 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2023.101077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Communication is inherently social, so signaling systems should evolve with social systems. The 'social complexity hypothesis' posits that social complexity necessitates communicative complexity and is generally supported in vocalizing mammals. This hypothesis, however, has seldom been tested outside the acoustic modality, and comparisons across studies are confounded by varying definitions of complexity. Moreover, proximate mechanisms underlying coevolution of sociality and communication remain largely unexamined. In this review, we argue that to uncover how sociality and communication coevolve, we need to examine variation in the neuroendocrine mechanisms that coregulate social behavior and signal production and perception. Specifically, we focus on steroid hormones, monoamines, and nonapeptides, which modulate both social behavior and sensorimotor circuits and are likely targets of selection during social evolution. Lastly, we highlight weakly electric fishes as an ideal system in which to comparatively address the proximate mechanisms underlying relationships between social and signal diversity in a novel modality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan K Freiler
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, United States; Center for the Integrative Study of Animal Behavior, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, United States.
| | - G Troy Smith
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, United States; Center for the Integrative Study of Animal Behavior, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, United States
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2
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Mennigen JA, Ramachandran D, Shaw K, Chaube R, Joy KP, Trudeau VL. Reproductive roles of the vasopressin/oxytocin neuropeptide family in teleost fishes. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:1005863. [PMID: 36313759 PMCID: PMC9606234 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.1005863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The vertebrate nonapeptide families arginine vasopressin (AVP) and oxytocin (OXT) are considered to have evolved from a single vasopressin-like peptide present in invertebrates and termed arginine vasotocin in early vertebrate evolution. Unprecedented genome sequence availability has more recently allowed new insight into the evolution of nonapeptides and especially their receptor families in the context of whole genome duplications. In bony fish, nonapeptide homologues of AVP termed arginine vasotocin (Avp) and an OXT family peptide (Oxt) originally termed isotocin have been characterized. While reproductive roles of both nonapeptide families have historically been studied in several vertebrates, their roles in teleost reproduction remain much less understood. Taking advantage of novel genome resources and associated technological advances such as genetic modifications in fish models, we here critically review the current state of knowledge regarding the roles of nonapeptide systems in teleost reproduction. We further discuss sources of plasticity of the conserved nonapeptide systems in the context of diverse reproductive phenotypes observed in teleost fishes. Given the dual roles of preoptic area (POA) synthesized Avp and Oxt as neuromodulators and endocrine/paracrine factors, we focus on known roles of both peptides on reproductive behaviour and the regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. Emphasis is placed on the identification of a gonadal nonapeptide system that plays critical roles in both steroidogenesis and gamete maturation. We conclude by highlighting key research gaps including a call for translational studies linking new mechanistic understanding of nonapeptide regulated physiology in the context of aquaculture, conservation biology and ecotoxicology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan A. Mennigen
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Divya Ramachandran
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Katherine Shaw
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Radha Chaube
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
| | - Keerikkattil P. Joy
- Department of Biotechnology, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kochi, India
| | - Vance L. Trudeau
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Ottawa, ON, Canada
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3
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Pouso P, Perrone R, Silva A. Immunohistochemical description of isotocin neurons and the anatomo-functional comparative analysis between isotocin and vasotocin systems in the weakly electric fish, Gymnotus omaroum. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2021; 313:113886. [PMID: 34411583 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2021.113886] [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: 01/16/2021] [Revised: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The vasopressin-vasotocin (AVP-AVT) and oxytocin-mesotocin-isotocin (OT-MT-IT) families of nonapeptides are of great importance in shaping context-dependent modulations of a conserved and yet highly plastic network of brain areas involved in social behavior: the social behavior network. The nonapeptide systems of teleost fish are highly conserved and share a common general organization. In this study, we first describe the presence of IT cells and projections in the brain of an electric fish, Gymnotus omarorum. Second, we confirm that IT neuron types and distribution in the preoptic area (POA) follow the same general pattern previously described in other teleost species. Third, we show that although IT and AVT neurons occur intermingled within the POA of G. omarorum and can be classified into the same subgroups, they present subtle but remarkable differences in size, number, and location. Finally, we show that unlike AVT, IT has no effect on basal electric signaling, reinforcing the specificity in the actions that each one of these nonapeptides has on social behavior and communication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Pouso
- Depto. Histología y Embriología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay; Unidad Bases Neurales de la Conducta, Depto Neurofisiologia Celular y Molecular, IIBCE, Montevideo, Uruguay.
| | - Rossana Perrone
- Unidad Bases Neurales de la Conducta, Depto Neurofisiologia Celular y Molecular, IIBCE, Montevideo, Uruguay; Instituto de Fundamentos y Métodos, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad de la República
| | - Ana Silva
- Unidad Bases Neurales de la Conducta, Depto Neurofisiologia Celular y Molecular, IIBCE, Montevideo, Uruguay; Laboratorio de Neurociencias, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
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4
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Dunlap KD, Koukos HM, Chagnaud BP, Zakon HH, Bass AH. Vocal and Electric Fish: Revisiting a Comparison of Two Teleost Models in the Neuroethology of Social Behavior. Front Neural Circuits 2021; 15:713105. [PMID: 34489647 PMCID: PMC8418312 DOI: 10.3389/fncir.2021.713105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The communication behaviors of vocal fish and electric fish are among the vertebrate social behaviors best understood at the level of neural circuits. Both forms of signaling rely on midbrain inputs to hindbrain pattern generators that activate peripheral effectors (sonic muscles and electrocytes) to produce pulsatile signals that are modulated by frequency/repetition rate, amplitude and call duration. To generate signals that vary by sex, male phenotype, and social context, these circuits are responsive to a wide range of hormones and neuromodulators acting on different timescales at multiple loci. Bass and Zakon (2005) reviewed the behavioral neuroendocrinology of these two teleost groups, comparing how the regulation of their communication systems have both converged and diverged during their parallel evolution. Here, we revisit this comparison and review the complementary developments over the past 16 years. We (a) summarize recent work that expands our knowledge of the neural circuits underlying these two communication systems, (b) review parallel studies on the action of neuromodulators (e.g., serotonin, AVT, melatonin), brain steroidogenesis (via aromatase), and social stimuli on the output of these circuits, (c) highlight recent transcriptomic studies that illustrate how contemporary molecular methods have elucidated the genetic regulation of social behavior in these fish, and (d) describe recent studies of mochokid catfish, which use both vocal and electric communication, and that use both vocal and electric communication and consider how these two systems are spliced together in the same species. Finally, we offer avenues for future research to further probe how similarities and differences between these two communication systems emerge over ontogeny and evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kent D Dunlap
- Department of Biology, Trinity College, Hartford, CT, United States
| | - Haley M Koukos
- Department of Biology, Trinity College, Hartford, CT, United States
| | - Boris P Chagnaud
- Institute of Biology, Karl-Franzens-University Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Harold H Zakon
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States.,Department of Integrative Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
| | - Andrew H Bass
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
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5
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Waddell JC, Caputi AA. Waveform discrimination in a pair of pulse-generating electric fishes. JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2020; 96:1065-1071. [PMID: 32077109 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.14298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Revised: 01/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/17/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Studies of pulse-type gymnotiform electric fishes have suggested that electric organ discharge waveforms (EODw) allow individuals to discriminate between conspecific and allospecific signals, but few have approached this experimentally. Here we implement a phase-locked playback technique for a syntopic species pair, Brachyhypopomus gauderio and Gymnotus omarorum. Both species respond to changes in stimulus waveform with a transitory reduction in the interpulse interval of their self-generated discharge, providing strong evidence of discrimination. We also document sustained rate changes in response to different EODws, which may suggest recognition of natural waveforms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph C Waddell
- Department of Integrative and Computational Neurosciences, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Angel A Caputi
- Department of Integrative and Computational Neurosciences, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Montevideo, Uruguay
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Pouso P, Cabana Á, Goodson JL, Silva A. Preoptic Area Activation and Vasotocin Involvement in the Reproductive Behavior of a Weakly Pulse-Type Electric Fish, Brachyhypopomus gauderio. Front Integr Neurosci 2019; 13:37. [PMID: 31456670 PMCID: PMC6700327 DOI: 10.3389/fnint.2019.00037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2019] [Accepted: 07/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Social behavior exhibits a wide diversity among vertebrates though it is controlled by a conserved neural network, the social behavior network (SBN). The activity of the SBN is shaped by hypothalamic nonapeptides of the vasopressin-oxytocin family. The weakly electric fish Brachyhypopomus gauderio emits social electrical signals during courtship. Three types of vasotocin (AVT) cells occur in the preoptic area (POA), one of the SBN nodes. In this study, we aimed to test if POA neurons of the nucleus preopticus ventricularis anterior (PPa) and posterior (PPp), and in particular AVT+ cells, were activated by social stimuli using a 2-day behavioral protocol. During the first night, male-female dyads were recorded to identify courting males. During the second night, these males were divided in two experimental conditions: isolated and social (male with a female). Both AVT cells and the cellular activation of the POA neurons (measured by FOS) were identified. We found that the PPa of social males showed more FOS+ cells than the PPa of isolated males, and that the PPa had more AVT+ cells in social males than in isolated males. The double-immunolabeling for AVT and FOS indicated the activation of AVT+ neurons. No significant differences in the activation of AVT+ cells were found between conditions, but a clear association was observed between the number of AVT+ cells and certain behavioral traits. In addition, a different activation of AVT+ cell-types was observed for social vs. isolated males. We conclude that the POA of B. gauderio exhibits changes induced by social stimuli in reproductive context, involving an increase in AVT production and a different profile activation among AVT+ cell populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Pouso
- Departamento de Histología y Embriología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay.,Unidad Bases Neurales de la Conducta, Departamento de Neurofisiología Celular y Molecular, IIBCE, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Álvaro Cabana
- Centro de Investigación Básica en Psicología (CIBPsi) and Instituto de Fundamentos y Métodos, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - James L Goodson
- Department of Biology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, United States
| | - Ana Silva
- Departamento de Histología y Embriología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay.,Laboratorio de Neurociencias, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
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7
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Silva AC, Pandolfi M. Vasotocinergic control of agonistic behavior told by Neotropical fishes. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2019; 273:67-72. [PMID: 29702104 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2018.04.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2017] [Revised: 03/23/2018] [Accepted: 04/23/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
The hypothalamic neuropeptides of the vasopressin-oxytocin family (and their homologs for non-mammalian species) are key modulators of the Social Brain Network, acting via specific receptors reported in all the nuclei of this network. Different conclusive examples have proven the context-dependency actions of hypothalamic nonapeptides on social behavior in several vertebrate taxa. Teleost fishes provide endless possibilities of experimental model systems to explore the underlying mechanisms of nonapeptide actions on social behavior given that they are the most diverse group of vertebrates. Although it has been difficult to identify commonalities of nonapeptide actions across species, indisputable evidence in many teleost species have demonstrated a clear role of vasotocin in the modulation of aggressive and sexual behaviors. Though Neotropical South American fish contribute an important percentage of teleost diversity, most native species remain unexplored as model systems for the study of the neuroendocrine bases of social behavior. In this review, we will revise recent data on the two model systems of Neotropical fish, South American cichlids and weakly electric fish that have contributed to this issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana C Silva
- Unidad Bases Neurales de la Conducta, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Avenida Italia 3318, CP 11600 Montevideo, Uruguay; Laboratorio de Neurociencias, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Iguá 4225, CP 11400 Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Matías Pandolfi
- Laboratorio de Neuroendocrinología y Comportamiento, DBBE e IBBEA-CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Universitaria, Intendente Güiraldes 2160, C1428EHA Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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8
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Non-breeding territoriality and the effect of territory size on aggression in the weakly electric fish, Gymnotus omarorum. Acta Ethol 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s10211-019-00309-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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9
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Perrone R, Silva AC. Status-Dependent Vasotocin Modulation of Dominance and Subordination in the Weakly Electric Fish Gymnotus omarorum. Front Behav Neurosci 2018; 12:1. [PMID: 29403366 PMCID: PMC5778121 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2018.00001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2017] [Accepted: 01/04/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Dominant-subordinate status emerges from agonistic encounters. The weakly electric fish, Gymnotus omarorum, displays a clear-cut example of non-breeding territorial aggression. The asymmetry in the behavior of dominants and subordinates is outstanding. Dominants are highly aggressive and subordinates signal submission in a precise sequence of locomotor and electric traits: retreating, decreasing their electric organ discharge rate, and emitting transient electric signals. The hypothalamic neuropeptide arginine-vasotocin (AVT) and its mammalian homolog arginine-vasopressin, are key modulators of social behavior, known to adapt their actions to different contexts. By analyzing the effects of pharmacological manipulations of the AVT system in both dominants and subordinates, we show evidence of distinct status-dependent actions of AVT. We demonstrate an endogenous effect of AVT on dominants' aggression levels: blocking the V1a AVT receptor induced a significant decrease in dominants' attack rate. AVT administered to subordinates enhanced the expression of the electric signals of submission, without affecting subordinates' locomotor displays. This study contributes a clear example of status-dependent AVT modulation of agonistic behavior in teleosts, and reveals distinctive activation patterns of the AVT system between dominants and subordinates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rossana Perrone
- Unidad Bases Neurales de la Conducta, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Ana C Silva
- Unidad Bases Neurales de la Conducta, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Montevideo, Uruguay.,Laboratorio de Neurociencias, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
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