Neural Mechanisms Underlying an Aggressive Syndrome in Stalk-eyed Flies

摘要进行性综合征是指一些个体在一系列环境中始终比其他个体更具攻击性的综合征，已在多种物种中被记录在案。虽然攻击性的表现在雄性竞争中应该是有利的，但这种行为在与捕食者、后代或配偶的互动中可能是不利的，造成了进化上的权衡。了解影响攻击性互动的生理机制可能有助于我们理解为什么一些人在不适当的环境中以不利于生存和繁殖的方式表达攻击性。柄眼蝇为研究攻击性综合征的生理机制以及生殖和生存健康提供了一个理想的模型系统，因为在许多物种中，雄性在不同的环境中使用它们夸张的头部形态，仪式化的攻击性展示，包括雄性竞争、繁殖展示和捕食者-猎物相互作用。这项拟议的研究使用行为和药理学方法来测试，在这些环境中，雄性杆眼果蝇表现出的攻击性水平的维持是否通过两种关键神经递质--5-羟色胺和章鱼胺--功能的变化来调节。科罗拉多州和南达科他州从大学预科到研究生水平的学生将参与这些研究，为他们提供有意义和有价值的研究经验。这些经历对于鼓励学生从事科学事业非常重要。因为孩子们通常首先在公立学校接触到科学和发现的正式过程，所以一个有效的科学教育计划必须包括对儿童和教师的接触。研究人员将通过沉浸在基于项目的实习中，让科罗拉多州的下一代科学教师接触到科学发现的过程，从而帮助培训他们。接触基于项目的实验室经验将使这些教师更好地为激励下一代做好准备，可能会影响数千名儿童。调查人员还将为参加南达科他州科学夏令营的学生开发和提供动手实验室练习。结果公布后，数据将可供免费查阅。数据将通过ResearchGate(ResearchGate.net)获得，并与已发表的文章链接。

AbstractAggressive syndromes, in which some individuals are consistently more aggressive than others over a range of contexts, have been documented in multiple species. Although the expression of aggressiveness should be favored in male competition, such behaviors may be disadvantageous in interactions with predators, offspring or mates, creating evolutionary trade-offs. Understanding the physiological mechanisms that influence aggressive interactions may help us understand why some individuals express aggression in inappropriate contexts in ways that are detrimental to survival and reproduction. Stalk-eyed flies provide an ideal model system to investigate both the physiological mechanisms and the reproductive and survival fitness consequences of aggressive syndromes because males in many species use their exaggerated head morphology in dramatic, ritualized aggressive displays in different contexts, including male competition, reproductive display, and predator-prey interactions. The proposed research uses behavioral and pharmacological approaches to test whether the maintenance of aggression levels displayed by male stalk-eyed flies across these contexts is mediated through changes in the function of two key neurotransmitters, serotonin and octopamine. Students ranging from pre-college to graduate levels in Colorado and South Dakota will participate in these studies, providing them with meaningful and valuable research experiences. These experiences are important to encourage students to pursue careers in science. Because children are often first exposed to the formal process of science and discovery in public schools, an effective scientific educational program must include outreach to both children and teachers. The investigators will help train the next generation of Colorado science teachers by exposing them to the process of scientific discovery through immersion in project-based internships. Exposure to project-based laboratory experiences will better prepare these teachers to inspire the next generation, affecting potentially thousands of children. The investigators will also develop and deliver hands-on laboratory exercises for students attending science camps in South Dakota. Data will be made available for free access following publication of results. Data will be available via ResearchGate (ResearchGate.net) and linked with published articles.