Meeting Abstract
3.7 Saturday, Jan. 4 09:30 Effects of AVT manipulation on Syngnathus scovelli: a sex role reversed species NAVARRO, A*; FRAKER, T.L.; DEATON HAYNES, P.D.; SCOBELL, S.K.; St. Edward’s University, Austin, TX; St. Edward’s University, Austin, TX; Brooklyn College, Brooklyn, NY; St. Edward’s University, Austin, TX anavarr3@stedwards.edu
Studying sex role reversed species (i.e. those displaying increased male parental investment, female competition for mates, and strong sexual selection pressures on females) provides an opportunity to test the assumptions of sexual selection theory and enhance our understanding of the neurophysiology mediating behavioral sex differences. Syngnathids (seahorses, pipefish, and seadragons) are a useful group for studying neural systems underlying sex-typical behaviors, as this Family displays both conventional and sex role reversed behaviors. The neuropeptide arginine vasotocin (AVT, the homologue to the mammalian gene arginine vasopressin, AVP) facilitates social behavior across all vertebrate taxa (i.e. birds, amphibians, rodents, mammals). In many male vertebrates AVT/AVP mediates aggressive behaviors and in certain species, can operate independent from gonadal hormones (e.g., testosterone). In female sex changing fish, AVT can activate aggressive male-typical behaviors. Yet there is paucity of research assessing AVT’s effect on aggression in sex role reversed species. Our goal is to understand the proximate role AVT plays in the mediation of intrasexual aggression in female Gulf pipefish, a highly polyandrous, sex role reversed species. Test females interacted in a baseline behavior test for 30 minutes with a stimulus female prior to receiving either an AVT, Manning compound (an AVT/AVP receptor antagonist), saline, or sham injection. Following a 60 minute recovery period, the pair interacted for another 30 minutes in a post-injection trial. Pilot data supported our predictions that AVT would increase aggressive behavior and Manning compound would decrease aggressive behavior in test females. We are currently analyzing our behavioral and morphological data (n=96).
