Stress and aversive learning in a wild vertebrate: the role of corticosterone in mediating escape from a novel stressor

The American Naturalist
Maria ThakerDiana K Hews

Abstract

Elevated plasma corticosterone during stressful events is linked to rapid changes in behavior in vertebrates and can mediate learning and memory consolidation. We tested the importance of acute corticosterone elevation in aversive learning of a novel stressor by wild male eastern fence lizards (Sceloporus undulatus). We found that inhibiting corticosterone elevation (using metyrapone, a corticosterone synthesis blocker) during an encounter with a novel attacker impaired immediate escape responses and limited learning and recall during future encounters. In the wild and in outdoor enclosures, lizards whose acute corticosterone response was blocked by an earlier metyrapone injection did not alter their escape behavior during repeated encounters with the attacker. Control-injected (unblocked) lizards, however, progressively increased flight initiation distance and decreased hiding duration during subsequent encounters. Aversive responses were also initially higher for control lizards exposed to a higher intensity first attack. Further, we demonstrate a role of corticosterone elevation in recollection, since unblocked lizards had heightened antipredator responses 24-28 h later. Exogenously restoring corticosterone levels in metyrap...Continue Reading

Citations

Apr 16, 2011·Die Naturwissenschaften·Laura A Kelley, Susan D Healy
Jun 8, 2013·Journal of Comparative Physiology. B, Biochemical, Systemic, and Environmental Physiology·D K Hews, A J Abell Baniki
Mar 20, 2010·Biology Letters·Jill M Mateo
May 14, 2014·Integrative and Comparative Biology·Jill M Mateo
Apr 11, 2015·Physiological and Biochemical Zoology : PBZ·Tim S JessopTim Lockwood
Aug 8, 2015·Human Brain Mapping·Estrella R MontoyaDavid Terburg
Mar 26, 2014·Biological Reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society·Steven L LimaEsteban Fernández-Juricic
Oct 16, 2015·Biological Reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society·Zulima Tablado, Lukas Jenni
Apr 16, 2016·General and Comparative Endocrinology·Breanna N Harris, James A Carr
Jan 6, 2015·General and Comparative Endocrinology·Lorin A Neuman-LeeSusannah S French
Nov 8, 2014·Journal of Comparative Physiology. B, Biochemical, Systemic, and Environmental Physiology·Thomas W Small, Stephan J Schoech
Feb 16, 2017·Journal of Experimental Zoology. Part A, Ecological Genetics and Physiology·Alejandra SoloagaRaul Hector Marin
Jun 7, 2019·Integrative and Comparative Biology·Maren N VitousekCedric Zimmer
Nov 7, 2018·Nature Ecology & Evolution·Maria ThakerHarshal Bhosale
Nov 27, 2019·The Journal of Experimental Biology·Lorin A Neuman-LeeSusannah S French
Apr 9, 2019·Biology Letters·Anuradha Batabyal, Maria Thaker
Oct 7, 2020·PloS One·Daniel J D NatuschDale F DeNardo
Oct 20, 2020·Biological Reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society·Birgit SzaboMartin J Whiting
Feb 27, 2017·General and Comparative Endocrinology·Natalie M ClaunchEmily N Taylor

❮ Previous
Next ❯

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.