Relation between social rank, submissive behavior, and brain catecholamine levels in ring-necked pheasants (Phasianus cholchicus).

Abstract

In Experiment 1, the social hierarchy of 23 male ring-necked pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) was found to be linear except for positions in the middle ranks. Social rank was inversely correlated with submissive ("supercedent") behavior but was unrelated to size (weight) of the birds. In Experiment 2, with 8 cock pheasants, general activity of the birds was not correlated with social rank or supercedent behavior. These data suggest that the spatial displacement of one individual by another is not a random or neutral social process, or a function of size differences among birds. The catecholamine concentrations in several brain structures were determined. Only dopamine concentrations in the neostriatum of high-ranking males were reliably different (higher) from concentrations of low-ranking males. These concentrations were inversely correlated with supercedent behavior. These findings are discussed in terms of other pharmacological, neuroanatomical, and behavioral data.

Dopamine in socioecological and evolutionary perspectives: implications for psychiatric disorders

“…Recent studies have shown that DA plays an important role in social hierarchy of ants, with DA concentration significantly higher in socially dominants than subordinates (Penick et al, 2014; Okada et al, 2015). A similar observation has also been reported in a bird such as ring-necked phesants, with higher social rank males exhibiting higher striatal DA concentration (Mcintyre and Chew, 1983). In contrast, in coturnix quails, this appears to be the opposite, with higher social rank subjects determined by pecking order exhibiting lower DA concentration (Holladay and Edens, 1987).…”

Dopamine and stress signalling interplay patterns social organization in mice

“…In ants, brain dopamine concentration is higher in socially dominant individuals (Penick et al, 2014;Okada et al, 2015). In birds and lizards, increased levels of dopamine in striatal structure have been observed in higher ranked individuals (McIntyre and Chew, 1983;Korzan et al, 2006).…”

Individual Differences and Social Influences on the Neurobehavioral Pharmacology of Abused Drugs

“…A study in birds revealed that steady-state levels of striatal dopamine are decreased in subordinates compared with dominants (McIntyre and Chew, 1983); however, this dominance-subordination difference is not observed in rodents (Blanchard et al, 1991). More important, indices of functional brain activity are altered by social rank in rodents.…”