This proposal focuses on the neuroendocrine mechanisms determining social and reproductive behaviors among vertebrates. Across different classes of vertebrates, the neuropeptide arginine vasotocin (AVT), as well as its mammalian homologue arginine vasopressin (AVP), play a key role in the regulation of complex male social behaviors such as aggression, courtship, and vocalizations associated with these behaviors. Many studies indicate that AVT/AVP's role in modulating these behaviors is a function of the social system of the species in question, however there is evidence that individual status within a social system also plays a part in determining the directionality of AVT/AVP's influences, i.e. either facilitating or inhibiting behavior. Few studies focus on the interaction between environment and hormone function in the expression of individual behavior. Among beaugregory damselfish, males exhibit different levels of aggression and courtship based upon their territory quality. The overall goal of this proposal is to identify how AVT- interacts with an individual's ecology (i.e. territory quality) to modulate aggression, courtship, and the vocalizations associated with these behaviors. ? ?

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F32)
Project #
1F32MH069066-01
Application #
6694923
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-F02A (20))
Program Officer
Desmond, Nancy L
Project Start
2003-08-01
Project End
2006-07-31
Budget Start
2003-08-01
Budget End
2004-07-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2003
Total Cost
$39,700
Indirect Cost
Name
Cornell University
Department
Other Basic Sciences
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
872612445
City
Ithaca
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
14850