Meeting Abstract
Aggression is a complex and nearly universal behavior, documented in animal species ranging from humans to flies. Based on comparative research investigating the proximate mechanisms responsible for the appropriate perception and execution of aggressive behaviors, it is clear that genes and neurochemicals (i.e., biogenic amines, hormones, neuropeptides) that mediate this suite of behaviors are conserved across a wide range of taxa. The serotonergic (5-HT) system, in particular, shares deep evolutionary origins between vertebrates and invertebrates and has been largely implicated in aggressive behavior. However, most of our understanding with respect to the mechanisms of the serotonergic system derives from manipulations that result in global 5-HT changes and have predominantly been male-focused studies. To better understand the system and the role of 5-HT we need to target individual genes such as receptor subtypes as well as their interactions with other neurochemical systems known to mediate aggression. Additionally, to have a thorough understanding of this complex behavior, both mechanistically and evolutionarily, it is imperative that we investigate the similarities and differences between sexes. I will discuss our findings that focus on 5-HT receptor subtypes and their specific roles in mediating other neurochemical systems, specifically tachykinin and neuropeptide F, and how these mechanisms differ between sexes in a novel dipteran model of aggression.
