This study will examine the social context and hormonal control of an electrocommunicatory behavior in female Apteronotus leptorhynchus, a weakly electric fish. The project will study how testosterone (T) affects behaviors at the level of pacemaker nucleus of the brain where neural control of the behavior lies. The communication signal studied is sexually dimorphic and the basis of this differentiation is unknown. It is hypothesized that T modulates female behavior and the effects are mediated via glutamate receptors in the pacemaker nucleus. The hypothesized social function of the behavior as a communication signal to males and/or females will also be tested. This study will contribute to the understanding of how hormonal effects on behavior are mediated, and how male and female nervous system may differ in vertebrates.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD)
Type
Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F32)
Project #
5F32HD008647-02
Application #
6402679
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-BBBP-1 (01))
Program Officer
Freund, Lisa S
Project Start
2001-05-01
Project End
Budget Start
2001-05-01
Budget End
2002-04-30
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2001
Total Cost
$34,832
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Texas Austin
Department
Biology
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
City
Austin
State
TX
Country
United States
Zip Code
78712
Zakon, Harold; Oestreich, Joerg; Tallarovic, Sara et al. (2002) EOD modulations of brown ghost electric fish: JARs, chirps, rises, and dips. J Physiol Paris 96:451-8