Neural Mechanisms of Dominance Behavior

摘要：D.H. Edwards (PI)，“支配行为的神经机制”，支配等级形成的神经基础尚未得到很好的理解。在小龙虾和龙虾中，统治等级的形成始于成对动物之间的战斗，它们的行为模式相似：接近、攻击和攻击性的翻尾。在某种程度上，一只动物通过转换为防御行为和撤退或执行三种逃跑尾翼中的任何一种而变得从属。行为的变化是由调节行为模式的神经回路的兴奋性变化引起的。神经回路兴奋性的改变可能是由神经回路调节的改变引起的。血清素是一种神经调节剂，根据动物的社会地位，以某种方式影响逃跑行为。目前的研究将确定血清素是否会调节神经回路，影响其他对支配决策很重要的行为，包括另一种形式的翻尾、向后走（即后退）和身体姿势。这项研究还将确定通常调节这些神经回路的血清素能神经元本身是否受到社会地位变化的影响。该项目将有助于提供一个全面的观点，在小龙虾的优势等级形成的5 -羟色胺能神经调节的作用。

Lay Abstract: D.H. Edwards (PI), "Neural mechanisms of dominance behavior"The neural bases of dominance hierarchy formation are not well understood. In crayfish and lobster, formation of a dominance hierarchy begins with fighting between pairs of animals in which both animals perform similar behavior patterns: approaches, attacks, and offensive tailflips. At some point, one animal becomes subordinate by switching to defensive behavior and retreating or performing any of three types of escape tailflips. The changes in behavior result from changes in the excitabilities of the neural circuits that mediate the behavior patterns. Changes in circuit excitability may result from changes in neuromodulation of the circuit. Serotonin is one neuromodulator that has been shown to affect escape behavior in a manner that depends on the animal's social status. The present research will determine whether serotonin modulates neural circuits for other behaviors that are important for dominance decisions, including another form of tailflip, backward walking (i.e., retreat), and body posture. The research will also determine whether the serotonergic neurons that normally modulate these circuits are themselves affected by changes in social status. The project will help provide a comprehensive view of the role of serotonergic neuromodulation in the formation of dominance hierarchies by crayfish.