Serotonergic modulation of appetitive and ingestive behavior in crayfish
Ann Jane Tierney1, Madelyn Haller1, Leah Grossman1
1Neuroscience Program.
Behavioral Neuroscience
|March 31, 2022
Summary
Serotonin significantly reduced feeding behaviors in crayfish. Different serotonin mechanisms may regulate appetitive and consummatory feeding phases, impacting food intake and appetite.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Animal Behavior
- Comparative Physiology
Background:
- Serotonin modulates feeding behavior across species.
- Limited comparative data exists for invertebrate feeding regulation.
- Crayfish serve as a model for studying crustacean feeding mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of serotonin in modulating crayfish feeding behavior.
- To determine the effects of specific serotonin receptor ligands on feeding.
- To explore potential differential regulation of feeding phases by serotonergic systems.
Main Methods:
- Administration of serotonin and two selective serotonin receptor ligands (mianserin, 5-carboxamidotryptamine) to crayfish.
- Observation and quantification of appetitive behaviors in response to food stimuli.
- Measurement of food consumption following ligand administration.
Main Results:
- Exogenous serotonin significantly reduced both appetitive behaviors and food consumption.
- Serotonin receptor ligands decreased food consumption but did not affect appetitive movements.
- A dissociation between the effects on appetitive and consummatory feeding phases was observed.
Conclusions:
- Serotonergic pathways play a significant role in regulating crayfish feeding.
- Appetitive and consummatory feeding phases appear to be differentially modulated by serotonergic mechanisms.
- Findings contribute to understanding the neurobiology of feeding in invertebrates.
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