Meeting Abstract

P3.182  Monday, Jan. 6 15:30  Transcriptomics and behavioral endocrinology of alternative reproductive tactics NUGENT, BM*; STIVER, KA; ALONZO, SH; HOFMANN, HA; Yale University; Southern Connecticut State University; Yale University; University of Texas at Austin bridget.nugent@yale.edu

Understanding the proximate mechanisms that give rise to variation within and across species is critical to understanding the origins of biodiversity. The male ocellated wrasse (Symphodus ocellatus) is an ideal model system to study the underpinnings of diversity because it displays multiple reproductive tactics in the wild. Three distinct phenotypes are observed in the male ocellated wrasse. Large, colorful nesting males build and defend nests and provide paternal care. Small, parasitic sneaker males covertly slip into the lairs of nesting males to spawn, but take no part in paternal rearing. Satellite males are intermediate in size, assist the nesting males in nest defense, and sneak matings. The reproductive tactics of the ocellated wrasse have been extensively studied in the field, yet the biological underpinnings of their marked physical and behavioral differences remain unknown. Circulating hormone levels differ between male morphs and likely create differences in gene expression among males, underlying their disparities in physiology and behavior. We used RNA-seq to generate brain transcriptomes for nesting males, satellites, sneakers, and females. We quantified gene expression differences between each phenotype and predicted that this approach would provide us with candidate genes involved in the expression of alternative phenotypes in this species. Next, we quantified candidate gene expression in the specific regions of the ocellated wrasse brain putatively associated with reproductive behaviors and paternal care. Ongoing and future work will investigate the influence of hormone manipulations on candidate gene expression and behavior in the wild ocellated wrasse.