Neural Mechanisms Underlying an Aggressive Syndrome in Stalk-eyed Flies

茎眼果蝇攻击性综合症背后的神经机制

• 批准号: 1256898
• 负责人: John Swallow
• 金额: $ 49.01万
• 依托单位: University of Colorado at Denver
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2013
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2013-09-15 至 2017-08-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1256898&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Neural; Mechanisms; Underlying; Aggressive; Syndrome

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.

攻击性综合征，其中一些人是一贯比其他人更具侵略性的一系列情况下，已被记录在多个物种。虽然攻击性的表达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，从而产生进化上的权衡。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。柄眼苍蝇提供了一个理想的模型系统，以调查的生理机制和生殖和生存健身的后果侵略综合征，因为在许多物种中的男性使用他们夸张的头部形态戏剧性的，仪式化的侵略显示在不同的情况下，包括男性竞争，生殖显示，捕食者-猎物的相互作用。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茎眼果蝇所表现出的攻击水平的维持是否是通过两种关键神经递质血清素和章鱼胺功能的变化来介导的。 学生从大学预科到研究生水平在科罗拉多和南达科他州将参加这些研究，为他们提供有意义和宝贵的研究经验。这些经验对于鼓励学生从事科学事业非常重要。因为孩子们通常是在公立学校第一次接触到科学和发现的正式过程，一个有效的科学教育计划必须包括对孩子和老师的宣传。调查人员将帮助培训下一代科罗拉多科学教师，通过沉浸在基于项目的实习中，让他们接触科学发现的过程。接触以项目为基础的实验室经验将更好地准备这些教师激励下一代，影响可能数以千计的儿童。研究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。数据将在结果公布后免费提供。数据将通过ResearchGate（ResearchGate.net）提供，并与已发表的文章链接。