Recent experience impacts social behavior in a novel context by adult zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Abstract

Many animals exhibit behavioral plasticity as they move between habitats seasonally, reside in fluctuating environments, or respond to human-induced environmental change. We know that physical environment during early development can have a lasting impact on behavior, and on the neural mechanisms that shape behavior. In adults, social context can have similar persistent effects on behavior and the brain. Here, we asked whether physical context impacts adult social behavior in a novel environment. We placed groups of adult zebrafish (Danio rerio) in two different physical contexts. After two weeks, we measured group behavior in a novel context, and found that zebrafish with recent experience in a more-complex physical environment charged each other more often and tended to form tighter shoals than did fish that had been housed in less-complex environments. These differences were present regardless of the novel context in which we assayed behavior, and were not easily explained by differences in activity level. Our results demonstrate the impact of recent experiences on adult behavior, and highlight the importance of physical as well as social history in predicting animal behavior in novel situations.

Oxytocin receptors influence the development and maintenance of social behavior in zebrafish (Danio rerio)

“…Similar to the social preference, both Oxytocin receptors modulate shoaling behavior, but to different degrees. Since shoaling parameters are also influenced by predator avoidance 76 , 77 and experience 78 , shoaling should not be considered as an exclusive expression of social behavior. Moreover, shoaling and schooling are regulated by both visual and mechanosensory 79 (lateral line) inputs.…”

The zebrafish subcortical social brain as a model for studying social behavior disorders

“…Changes in social status have been associated with an individual's altered motor activity (Clements et al, 2018), reproductive success (Paull et al, 2010), and other physiological and health consequences (Filby et al, 2010a). Social animals adjust their behavior based on their status within a group, a phenomenon called social plasticity, which is also studied using aggression assays (Teles et al, 2016a; Maruska et al, 2019; Guayasamin et al, 2017; Sykes et al, 2018).…”

Wild Zebrafish Sentinels: Biological Monitoring of Site Differences Using Behavior and Morphology

“…This could be accomplished by analyzing zebrafish phenotypes at multiple field sites, supplemented with identifying and quantifying factors associated with environmental change tested in a laboratory, and predictive modeling [ 120 ]. Due to the increased complexity of field versus laboratory environments, it is imperative to validate that observed phenotypic variation results from hypothesized sources of variation rather than external variables such as water flow, predation, environmental complexity and stability, genetics, and social context [ 49 , 52 , 70 , 71 , 72 , 121 , 122 ]. Optimization and implementation of zebrafish biological monitors in the field could rely on partially-submerged slotted tanks or cages with passages for water flow but not fish and with grated lids to prevent predation.…”