Development of social behavior in young zebrafish
Elena Dreosti1, Gonçalo Lopes2, Adam R Kampff2
1Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London London, UK.
Frontiers in Neural Circuits
|September 9, 2015
Summary
Zebrafish (Danio rerio) develop social preference and coordinated movements between 1 and 3 weeks of age. This social behavior is visually dependent and can be altered by N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonists and ethanol.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Ethology
Background:
- Adult zebrafish (Danio rerio) exhibit robust social behaviors.
- Larval zebrafish are not initially social, necessitating an investigation into developmental sociality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the developmental stage at which zebrafish larvae begin to exhibit social preference and interaction.
- To understand the sensory and individual factors influencing early social behavior in zebrafish.
Main Methods:
- A novel assay was developed to measure social preference and interaction in larval zebrafish.
- Behavioral responses were observed across different developmental ages (1-3 weeks).
- The influence of visual cues, conspecific age/size, N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, and ethanol exposure were assessed.
Main Results:
- One-week-old zebrafish showed no significant social preference, while 3-week-old zebrafish strongly preferred viewing conspecifics.
- Social preference was dependent on vision and the size/age of the viewed fish.
- Larval zebrafish exhibited increasing movement coordination from 1-3 weeks.
- NMDA receptor antagonist and ethanol differentially altered social preference and coordinated movements.
Conclusions:
- Zebrafish develop social preference and coordinated movement behaviors between 1 and 3 weeks post-hatching.
- Early social behaviors are visually mediated and influenced by conspecific characteristics.
- Pharmacological agents known to affect adult social behavior also impact these developing social interactions.
