PMID: 25789340Mar 20, 2015Paper

Learning and memory during aggression in Drosophila: handling affects aggression and the formation of a "loser" effect

Journal of Nature and Science
Severine Trannoy, Edward A Kravitz

Abstract

Aggressive behavior in Drosophila melanogaster serves to acquire or defense vital resources such as food, territory or access to mates. Flies learn from previous fighting experience and modify and adapt their behavior to new situations, suggesting that learning and memory play a major role in agonistic encounters. Prior fighting experience influences the outcome of later contests: losing a fight increases the probability of losing second contests, revealing the formation of a "loser" effect. In a recent publication, we developed a new behavioral arena that eliminates handling of flies prior to, during and after fights to study the learning and memory associated with aggression. We compared two handling procedures commonly used in laboratories to study aggression with the new chambers and demonstrated that handling negatively influences aggression and prevents "loser" effect formation. In addition, we observed new aspects of behavior such as the formation of robust winner effects.

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.

Related Papers

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Alexandra YurkovicEdward A Kravitz
Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology
Michelle E Cook, Paul A Moore
© 2021 Meta ULC. All rights reserved