Meeting Abstract

P2.114  Friday, Jan. 4  Social deprivation triggers increased stress responsiveness and aggression in convict cichlid fish (Cryptoheros nigrofasciatus) MA, J.W.*; WONG, S.C.; EARLEY, R.L.; California State University, Fresno jma1986@csufresno.edu

Studies have shown that social interactions may contribute to proper functioning of the neuroendocrine stress axis. Absence of such interactions might lead to hormonal imbalances that can affect behavior. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of social deprivation on stress responsiveness and contest behavior in male convict cichlids (Cryptoheros nigrofasciatus). We addressed the primary question of whether social deprivation triggers more pronounced cortisol secretion in response to a non-social stressor (confinement), and whether alterations in stress responsiveness are mirrored by changes in aggression during a contest. Fights between individuals of the same treatment group (e.g. group housed or isolated) were monitored; aggressive attacks were tabulated and cortisol levels were compared between pre- and post-fight conditions. Isolates mounted a significantly higher stress response to confinement than group-housed animals. Fights between previously isolated fish also were escalated significantly more often than fights between previously group-housed fish. Thus, we reveal concordant increases in stress responsiveness and aggression in animals that are deprived of social interaction. Because fights were conducted between individuals of the same treatment group, however, we were unable to determine whether individual aggression levels change as a consequence of social condition. We present preliminary data on the relationship between housing (isolate vs. group-housed), stress responsiveness, and aggression exhibited towards a neutral opponent (mirror image or control opponent that was pair housed with a female).