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opencc-by-4.0Nov 2023View details →

ASIC2 Deletion in Medial Prefrontal Cortex Enhances Social Dominance in Mice

Social dominance is essential for maintaining a stable social society and has well-established positive and negative impacts on sociable animals, including humans. However, the regulatory mechanisms governing social dominance, as well as the crucial regulators and biomarkers involved, remain poorly understood. We discover that mice lacking acid-sensing ion channel 2 (ASIC2) exhibit a persistent higher social dominance ranking compared to their wild-type cagemates. Conversely, the overexpression of ASIC2 in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) reverses the dominance hierarchy observed in ASIC2 knockout mice. ASIC2 deletion prolongs the inactivation time of ASICs, resulting in enhanced ASIC-dependent synaptic transmission and plasticity in the mPFC through the protein kinase A signaling pathway. Furthermore, ASIC2 exhibits distinct functional roles in excitatory and inhibitory neurons, thereby modulating the balance of neuronal activities underlying social dominance behaviors—a phenomenon suggestive of a cell-subtype-specific mechanism. Finally, this research establishes a foundational understanding of the mechanisms governing social dominance formation, offering potential insights for the management or prevention of social disorders, such as depression and anxiety.

Fig. 3 in New Insights into the Male Morphotypes of the Amphidromous Shrimp (Weigmann, 1836) (Caridea: Palaemonidae) and a Discussion on Social Dominance Hierarchies.

Fig. 3. Macrobrachium olfersii (Wiegmann, 1836). Discrimination of juveniles and adult morphotypes (M1, M2, and M3) according to the most explanatory morphometric variables from the principal component analysis, propodus length (PrL), and major cheliped length (ChL).

Fig. 4 in New Insights into the Male Morphotypes of the Amphidromous Shrimp (Weigmann, 1836) (Caridea: Palaemonidae) and a Discussion on Social Dominance Hierarchies.

Fig. 4. Macrobrachium olfersii (Wiegmann, 1836). (A) Regression of the morphometric relationship of the propodus length (PrL) Vs. carapace length (CL) demonstrates the separation between juvenile and adult males. (B) A logistic curve shows the size at which 50% of males reach sexual maturity (CL50).

Fig. 2 in New Insights into the Male Morphotypes of the Amphidromous Shrimp (Weigmann, 1836) (Caridea: Palaemonidae) and a Discussion on Social Dominance Hierarchies.

Fig. 2. Macrobrachium olfersii (Wiegmann, 1836). Principal Component Analysis (PCA) of morphometric variables. Values indicate the projection of components 1 and 2 (PC1 and PC2).

Fig. 1 in New Insights into the Male Morphotypes of the Amphidromous Shrimp (Weigmann, 1836) (Caridea: Palaemonidae) and a Discussion on Social Dominance Hierarchies.

Fig. 1. (A) Carapace of Macrobrachium olfersii (Wiegmann, 1836). Dimension of carapace length (CL) measurements. (B) Major cheliped of Macrobrachium olfersii. Exemplification of the dimensions used to measure the length and height of the articles of the larger cheliped. The same measurements were used for the smaller cheliped. (C) Propodus of the larger cheliped of Macrobrachium olfersii in the standard position used in the geometric morphometric analyses. Red and blue circles are the landmarks and semilandmarks, respectively. CL = Carapace length; IL = Ischium length; ML = Merus length; CaL = Carpus length; PrL = Propodus length; DL = Dactylus length; PrH = Propodus height.

Fig. 5 in New Insights into the Male Morphotypes of the Amphidromous Shrimp (Weigmann, 1836) (Caridea: Palaemonidae) and a Discussion on Social Dominance Hierarchies.

Fig. 5. Macrobrachium olfersii (Wiegmann, 1836). Specimens and chelipeds of the male morphotypes, (A and B) Juvenile, (C and D) Morphotype 1, (E and F) Morphotype 2, and (G and H) Morphotype 3. All scale bars correspond to 10 mm, except for the scale bar present in 6B, which corresponds to 5 mm.

Fig. 6 in New Insights into the Male Morphotypes of the Amphidromous Shrimp (Weigmann, 1836) (Caridea: Palaemonidae) and a Discussion on Social Dominance Hierarchies.

Fig. 6. Macrobrachium olfersii (Wiegmann, 1836). (A) Scatter plot of canonical variation analysis (CVA) performed with the coordinates of variation in the propodus shape of the male morphotypes. (B) Variation in the propodus shape of each male morphotype. M3 presents evident differences in the shape of the palm region and also in the fixed finger in relation to the other morphotypes.

opencc-zeroOct 2020View details →

Interspecific social dominance networks reveal mechanisms promoting coexistence in sympatric charrs in Hokkaido, Japan

1. Coexistence of species requires equalizing mechanisms that minimize fitness differences, which are balanced by stabilizing mechanisms that enhance negative intraspecific interactions versus interspecific ones. Here, we develop a simple theoretical framework that allows measuring the relative strength of intraspecific versus interspecific competition in dominance hierarchies. We use it to evaluate mechanisms promoting coexistence between congeneric charrs that compete for foraging positions, which strongly influence density-dependent growth and survival. 2. Agonistic interactions (n = 761) among 71 Dolly Varden Salvelinus malma and whitespotted charr S. leucomaenis were measured by snorkeling in two pools in the sympatric zone of a Hokkaido stream during two summers. Interspecific dominance hierarchies, analyzed using three methods, were closely correlated with fish length but the species treated each other equally. Ranks for the most dominant fish in each pool, determined directly by knockout experiments, were also virtually identical to ranks by length. 3. Similarly, exponential random graph modeling of the social networks provided no evidence that either species was dominant over the other. Instead, larger fish were more likely to win contests, especially over fish of the next lower ranks. 4. These results demonstrated that the two species were nearly ecological equivalents in accessing key resources in this sympatric zone. Nearly identical growth and stable densities over 4 years further supported this inference, although Dolly Varden were a minority (29% of the assemblage), a sign of some fitness difference. 5. Detailed foraging observations coupled with two concurrent studies revealed an effective stabilizing mechanism. Dolly Varden shifted to feeding directly from the benthos when drifting invertebrates declined, a behavior enhanced by morphological character displacement, thereby partitioning food resources and enhancing intraspecific competition while avoiding agonistic encounters with whitespotted charr. 6. The plurality of evidence indicates that fitness differences between these ecologically equivalent species are small in this local assemblage, and balanced by resource partitioning, a modest stabilizing mechanism that promotes coexistence. The theoretical framework presented here is a useful tool to evaluate the strength of interspecific versus intraspecific competition, which combined with information on tradeoffs in ecological performance can contribute to a mechanistic understanding of species coexistence. 26-Oct-2020

opencc-zeroDec 2016View details →

Data from: It's cool to be dominant: social status alters short-term risks of heat stress

Climate change has potential to trigger social change. As a first step towards understanding mechanisms determining the vulnerability of animal societies to rising temperatures, we investigated interactions between social rank and thermoregulation in three arid-zone bird species: fawn-coloured lark (Mirafra africanoides, territorial); African red-eyed bulbul (Pycnonotus nigricans, loosely social) and sociable weaver (Philetairus socius, complex cooperative societies). We assessed relationships between body temperature (Tb), air temperature (Ta) and social rank in captive groups in the Kalahari Desert. Socially dominant weavers and bulbuls had lower mean Tb than subordinate conspecifics, and dominant individuals of all species maintained more stable Tb as Ta increased. Dominant bulbuls and larks tended to monopolise available shade, but dominant weavers did not. Nevertheless, dominant weavers thermoregulated more precisely, despite expending no more behavioural effort on thermoregulation than subordinates. Increasingly unequal risks associated with heat stress may have implications for stability of animal societies in warmer climates.

opencc-zeroFeb 2022View details →

Code and data from: Familiarity, dominance, sex and season shape common waxbill social networks.

In gregarious animals, social network positions of individuals may influence their life-history and fitness. Although association patterns and the position of individuals in social networks can be shaped by phenotypic differences and by past interactions, few studies have quantified their relative importance. We evaluated how phenotypic differences and familiarity influence social preferences and the position of individuals within the social network. We monitored wild-caught common waxbills (Estrilda astrild) with radio-frequency identifiers in a large mesocosm during the non-breeding and breeding seasons of two consecutive years. We found that social networks were similar, and that the centrality of individuals was repeatable, across seasons and years, indicating a stable social phenotype. Nonetheless, there were seasonal changes in social structure: waxbills associated more strongly with opposite-sex individuals in breeding seasons, while in non-breeding seasons they instead assorted according to similarities in social dominance. We also observed stronger assortment between birds that were introduced to the mesocosm at the same time, indicating long-lasting bonds among familiar individuals. Waxbills that had been introduced to the mesocosm more recently occupied more central network positions, especially during breeding seasons, perhaps indicating that these birds had less socially-differentiated associations with flock members. Finally, individual differences in color ornamentation and behavioral assays of personality, inhibitory control and stress were not related to network centrality or association patterns. Together, these results suggest that, in gregarious species like the common waxbill, social networks may be more strongly shaped by long-lasting associations with familiar individuals than by phenotypic differences among group members.

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Glucocorticoids of European bison in relation to their status: age, dominance, social centrality and leadership

Dataset for the paper "Glucocorticoids of European bison in relation to their status: age, dominance, social centrality and leadership" Stress is the body's response to cope with the environment and generally better survive unless too much chronic stress persists. While some studies suggest that it would be more stressful to be the dominant individual of the group, others support the opposite hypothesis. Several variables can actually affect this relationship, or even cancel it. This study therefore aims to make the link between social status and the basal level of stress of 14 wild European bison (Bison bonasus, L. 1758) living together. We collected faeces and measured the faecal glucocorticoid metabolites (FGM). We showed that FGM is linked to different variables of social status of European bison, specifically age, dominance rank, eigenvector centrality but also to interactions between the variables. Preferential leaders in bison, i.e. the older and more dominant individuals which are more central ones, are less stressed compared to other group members. Measurement of such variables could thus be a valuable tool to follow and improve the conservation of species by collecting data on FGM and other social variables and adapt group composition or environmental conditions (e.g. supplement in food) according to the FGM concentration of herd individuals.

opencc-by-4.0Feb 2022View details →

zenodo36/100

Intersexual social dominance mimicry drives female hummingbird polymorphism DATA_CODE

Contains all relevant data and code for analyses and figures used in "Intersexual social dominance mimicry drives female hummingbird polymorphism" by Jay J. Falk, Dustin R. Rubenstein, Alejandro Rico-Guevara, Michael S. Webster. Proceedings of the Royal Society B, 2022.

opencc-by-4.0Aug 2022View details →

opencc-zeroAug 2022View details →

Data to: Carotenoids-based reddish pelvic spines in non-reproducing female and male sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus) – signalling social dominance?

Conspicuous ornaments are often considered a result of evolution by sexual selection. According to the social selection hypothesis, such conspicuous traits may also evolve as badges of status associated with increased boldness or aggression towards conspecifics in conflicts about ecological resources. This study tested predictions from the social selection hypothesis to explain evolution of conspicuous red colour of the pelvic spines of the three-spine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus). Wild non-reproducing sticklebacks were presented to pairs of dummies which differed at their pelvic spines, having either (i) normal sized grey or red pelvic spines, or (ii) normal sized grey or large red pelvic spines. The experimental tank was illuminated by white or green light, since green light impedes the sticklebacks' ability to detect red colour. The dummies moved slowly around in circles at each end of the experimental tank. We quantified the parameters (i) which of the two dummies was visited first, (ii) time taken before the first visit to a dummy, (iii) distribution of the focal sticklebacks in the two zones close to each of the two dummies and in the neutral zone of the tank, (iv) close to which of the two dummies did the focal fish eat its first food-piece, and (v) time spent until the first piece of food was eaten. This was carried out for 22 females and 29 males sticklebacks. The results suggested no effect of the colour or size of the dummies' pelvic spines, on none of the five behavioural parameters. Moreover, neither the colour of the pelvic spines of the focal sticklebacks themselves (as opposed to redness of the dummies' spines) or their body length was associated with behaviour towards the dummies. Thus, this study did not support predictions from the social selection hypothesis to explain evolution of red pelvic spines in sticklebacks.

opencc-zeroOct 2021View details →

Social dominance status is associated with differences in spatial cognitive flexibility in wild mountain chickadees

Social dominance has long been used as a model to investigate social stress. However, many studies using such comparisons have been performed in captive environments. These environments may produce unnaturally high antagonistic interactions, exaggerating the stress of social subordination and any associated adverse consequences. One such adverse effect concerns impaired cognitive ability, often thought to be associated with social subordination. Here, we tested whether social dominance rank is associated with differences in spatial learning and memory and in reversal spatial learning (flexibility) abilities in wild food-caching mountain chickadees at different montane elevations. Higher dominance rank was associated with higher spatial cognitive flexibility in harsh environments at higher elevations, but not at lower, milder elevations. In contrast, there were no consistent differences in spatial learning and memory ability associated with dominance rank. Our results suggest that spatial learning and memory ability in specialized food-caching species is a stable trait resilient to social influences. Spatial cognitive flexibility, on the other hand, appears to be more sensitive to environmental influences including social dominance. These findings contradict those from laboratory studies and suggest that it is critical to investigate the biological consequences of social dominance under natural conditions.

opencc-zeroJun 2023View details →

Data for: Bullying as an advertisement of social dominance in common waxbills

Bullying consists of preferentially attacking individuals lowest in the dominance hierarchy, and its functions are unclear because the most subordinate individuals do not pose social challenges to the aggressor. Instead, conflict is expected mostly between individuals of similar dominance rank or socially-distant (i.e., weakly associated), among whom dominance relationships may not be well established. A possible function of bullying is that it may be used as a low-risk strategy of showing-off dominance to relevant third parties. To study this hypothesis, we monitored aggressions during feeding, the composition of audiences, dominance hierarchy and social network of common waxbills (Estrilda astrild) in an open-air mesocosm, and tested 1- whether their aggressions show a pattern of bullying, and 2- whether audience effects influence aggressiveness. Waxbills showed bullying, most often attacking the lowest-ranking individuals rather than socially-distant individuals or those of similar dominance rank, and aggressions increased when the audience included socially-distant individuals, indicating a signalling function of bullying. Showing-off dominance in the presence of socially-distant individuals may be a strategy to manage dominance hierarchies, avoiding direct fights with potentially dangerous opponents in the audience. We suggest that bullying is a safe manner of managing dominance hierarchies, by signalling dominance status to potential opponents.