scholarly journals Neural Circuits Underlying Nest Building in Male Zebra Finches

2020 ◽  
Vol 60 (4) ◽  
pp. 943-954 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sophie C Edwards ◽  
Zachary J Hall ◽  
Eira Ihalainen ◽  
Valerie R Bishop ◽  
Elisa T Nicklas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Behavior ◽  
Nest Building ◽  
Lateral Septum ◽  
Early Gene ◽  
Zebra Finches ◽  
Nest Material ◽  
Motor Pathway ◽  
Nest Box ◽  
The Social ◽  
Behavior Network

Abstract Nest building consists of a series of motor actions, which are concomitant with activity in regions of the anterior motor pathway, the social behavior network, and the reward circuity in nest building adult male zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata). It is not clear, however, whether this activity is due to nest building, collection, and/or manipulation of nest material. To identify which areas of the brain are specifically involved, we used immunohistochemistry to quantify the immediate early gene c-Fos in male zebra finches that were nest building (Building), birds given a nest box but could interact only with tied down nest material (Fixed), and birds that were not given a nest box or nest material (Control). We investigated the following brain regions: the anterior motor pathway (anterior ventral mesopallium [AMV], AN, anterior striatum [ASt]), areas of the social behavior network (bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, dorsomedial subdivision [BSTmd], lateral septum [LS]), the dopaminergic reward circuitry (ventral tegmental area), and the cerebellum. We found that there was greater Fos immunoreactivity expression in the BSTmd, LS, and AMV with increased material deposition; in LS, AMV ASt, and Folium VI with increased material carrying; in LS, AMV, and ASt with increased nest material tucking; and in LS and all folia (except Folium VIII) with increased tugging at tied down material. These data confirm a functional role for areas of the anterior motor pathway, social behavior network, and the cerebellum in nest material collection and manipulation by birds.

scholarly journals Serotonergic activation during courtship and aggression in the brown anole,Anolis sagrei

PeerJ ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. e3331 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacob T. Hartline ◽  
Alexandra N. Smith ◽  
David Kabelik
Keyword(s):  
Social Behavior ◽  
Context Effects ◽  
Early Gene ◽  
Anolis Sagrei ◽  
Functional Roles ◽  
The Social ◽  
Copulatory Courtship ◽  
Brown Anole ◽  
Behavior Network ◽  
Reticular Nuclei

The role of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) in social behavior regulation is not fully understood. While 5-HT release in nuclei of the social behavior network has generally been associated with inhibition of aggressive behavior across multiple classes of vertebrates, less is known about its effects on sexual, especially non-copulatory courtship display behaviors. Furthermore, most research has examined effects at 5-HT release sites, while studies examining the behavioral relevance of source cell populations have generated contradictory findings. This study utilized immunohistochemistry to examine the colocalization of 5-HT with Fos, an immediate early gene product and marker of neural activity, in the raphe and superior reticular nuclei of male brown anoles (Anolis sagrei) exposed to either aggression, courtship, or control social interactions. Supporting previous research, copulation was associated with a decrease in 5-HT activity, while a novel link between 5-HT activity and latency to non-copulatory courtship was also found. Within the aggression group, intensity and frequency of behavior were both associated with decreased 5-HT activity. An effect of social context was also seen, with anoles exposed to either courtship or aggression encounters showing decreased 5-HT activity in certain raphe and superior reticular nuclei populations compared to controls. Interestingly, context effects and behavioral effects were seen at separate brain nuclei, suggesting the presence of separate systems with distinct functional roles.

scholarly journals Physical cognition: birds learn the structural efficacy of nest material

2014 ◽  
Vol 281 (1784) ◽  
pp. 20133225 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ida E. Bailey ◽  
Kate V. Morgan ◽  
Marion Bertin ◽  
Simone L. Meddle ◽  
Susan D. Healy
Keyword(s):  
Structural Properties ◽  
Building Material ◽  
Taeniopygia Guttata ◽  
Nest Building ◽  
Zebra Finches ◽  
Nest Material ◽  
Physical Cognition ◽  
String Type ◽  
Short Period

It is generally assumed that birds’ choice of structurally suitable materials for nest building is genetically predetermined. Here, we tested that assumption by investigating whether experience affected male zebra finches’ ( Taeniopygia guttata ) choice of nest material. After a short period of building with relatively flexible string, birds preferred to build with stiffer string while those that had experienced a stiffer string were indifferent to string type. After building a complete nest with either string type, however, all birds increased their preference for stiff string. The stiffer string appeared to be the more effective building material as birds required fewer pieces of stiffer than flexible string to build a roofed nest. For birds that raised chicks successfully, there was no association between the material they used to build their nest and the type they subsequently preferred. Birds’ material preference reflected neither the preference of their father nor of their siblings but juvenile experience of either string type increased their preference for stiffer string. Our results represent two important advances: (i) birds choose nest material based on the structural properties of the material; (ii) nest material preference is not entirely genetically predetermined as both the type and amount of experience influences birds’ choices.

scholarly journals Social Experience Interacts with Serotonin to Affect Functional Connectivity in the Social Behavior Network following Playback of Social Vocalizations in Mice

eNeuro ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. ENEURO.0247-20.2021
Author(s):  
Christopher L. Petersen ◽  
Sarah E. D. Davis ◽  
Bhumi Patel ◽  
Laura M. Hurley
Keyword(s):  
Social Behavior ◽  
Functional Connectivity ◽  
Social Experience ◽  
The Social ◽  
Behavior Network

scholarly journals Social learning in nest-building birds: a role for familiarity

2016 ◽  
Vol 283 (1827) ◽  
pp. 20152685 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lauren M. Guillette ◽  
Alice C. Y. Scott ◽  
Susan D. Healy
Keyword(s):  
Social Learning ◽  
Social Information ◽  
Nest Building ◽  
Zebra Finches ◽  
Trial And Error ◽  
Nest Material ◽  
Conspecific Male ◽  
Error Learning ◽  
First Time

It is becoming apparent that birds learn from their own experiences of nest building. What is not clear is whether birds can learn from watching conspecifics build. As social learning allows an animal to gain information without engaging in costly trial-and-error learning, first-time builders should exploit the successful habits of experienced builders. We presented first-time nest-building male zebra finches with either a familiar or an unfamiliar conspecific male building with material of a colour the observer did not like. When given the opportunity to build, males that had watched a familiar male build switched their material preference to that used by the familiar male. Males that observed unfamiliar birds did not. Thus, first-time nest builders use social information and copy the nest material choices when demonstrators are familiar but not when they are strangers. The relationships between individuals therefore influence how nest-building expertise is socially transmitted in zebra finches.

scholarly journals Immediate early gene activation throughout the brain is associated with dynamic changes in social context

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cait M. Williamson ◽  
Inbal S. Klein ◽  
Won Lee ◽  
James P. Curley
Keyword(s):  
Social Context ◽  
Dynamic Change ◽  
Gene Activation ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Early Gene ◽  
Alpha Male ◽  
The Social ◽  
Rapid Ascent ◽  
Behavior Network ◽  
The Brain

ABSTRACTSocial competence is dependent on successful processing of social context information. The social opportunity paradigm is a methodology in which dynamic shifts in social context are induced through removal of the alpha male in a dominance hierarchy, leading to rapid ascent in the hierarchy of the beta male and of other subordinate males in the social group. In the current study, we use the social opportunity paradigm to determine what brain regions respond to this dynamic change in social context, allowing an individual to recognize the absence of the alpha male and subsequently perform status-appropriate social behaviors. Replicating our previous work, we show that following removal of the alpha male, beta males rapidly ascend the social hierarchy and attain dominant status by increasing aggression towards more subordinate individuals. Analysis of patterns of Fos immunoreactivity throughout the brain indicates that in individuals undergoing social ascent, there is increased activity in regions of the social behavior network, as well as the infralimbic and prelimbic regions of the prefrontal cortex and areas of the hippocampus. Our findings demonstrate that male mice are able to respond to changes in social context and provide insight into the how the brain processes these complex behavioral changes.

scholarly journals Gene expression in the social behavior network of the wire‐tailed manakin ( Pipra filicauda ) brain

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Brent M. Horton ◽  
Thomas B. Ryder ◽  
Ignacio T. Moore ◽  
Christopher N. Balakrishnan
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Social Behavior ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Wire ◽  
Behavior Network ◽  
Pipra Filicauda

The effect of straw on farrowing site choice and nest building behaviour in sows

1992 ◽  
Vol 54 (1) ◽  
pp. 129-133 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. S. Arey ◽  
A. M. Petchey ◽  
V. R. Fowler
Keyword(s):  
Nest Building ◽  
Important Influence ◽  
Nest Material ◽  
Significant Preference ◽  
Nest Box ◽  
Nesting Behaviour ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
Building Behaviour ◽  
Group 1

AbstractFarrowing site choice was examined in 40 sows. In group 1, the preference of 16 sows was tested for pre-formed lying areas which incorporated the characteristics of previously observed farrowing nests: a hollow (H), a mattress (M), a nest box (B) and a flat control (C). None of the sows farrowed on C which indicated that choice was based on some evaluation of the lying surface. However, there was no significant preference for the three nest features: H6, M6, B 4. In group 2, C was replaced by a straw area (S). Four different amounts of straw were offered: 18, 9, 4·5 and 2·25 kg with four, four, eight, eight sows on trial at each amount respectively. All the sows farrowed on S at the 18, 9 and 4·5 levels; at 2·25 kg, three farrowed on S and five moved the straw to other lying areas on which they farrowed. The results indicated that the location of nest material has an important influence on farrowing site choice because it allows the performance of nesting behaviour. Although performance of the behaviour was not affected by the amount of straw available, 2·25 kg appeared to be inadequate for a satisfactory nest.

scholarly journals Preference of rabbit does among different nest materials

2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 81 ◽  
Author(s):  
T.P. Farkas ◽  
Zs. Szendrő ◽  
Zs. Matics ◽  
I. Radnai ◽  
I. Nagy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Building Materials ◽  
Nest Building ◽  
Gestation Length ◽  
Wild Rabbit ◽  
Nest Material ◽  
Nest Box ◽  
Nest Boxes ◽  
Wood Shavings ◽  
Nest Materials ◽  
Nest Quality

Nest quality is important for the survival of new-born rabbits. Nesting material in rabbit farms generally consists of wood shavings, which is completely different from the dry grass used by the European wild rabbit (<em>Oryctolagus cuniculus</em>). The aim of the experiments was to examine which nest materials are preferred by rabbit does when building their nest. In experiment 1, the choice of multiparous rabbit does (n=37) among nest boxes bedded with different nesting materials was monitored. In each pen (1.0×1.83 m) 1 doe and 4 nest boxes (0.37×0.23×0.31 m) with different nest materials (meadow hay [H], wheat straw [S], fine fibre material [Lignocel<sup>®</sup>, L] or wood shavings [W]) were placed 3 days before the expected parturition (gestation length is about 31 d in the Pannon White breed). Some 48.6% of the does kindled in nest boxes that contained pure materials (L: 40.5%, S: 5.4%, H: 2.7%), and 51.3% of the does kindled in nest boxes where the nest materials of different nest boxes were mixed by the does (S with L: 21.5%, S with L and H: 5.4%, W with L: 8.1%, L with H and S: 5.4%). Does preferred kindling in the nest box bedded with L, and most of them refused the nest box with W. In experiment 2/a (n=32 does) and 2/b (n=25 does), each pen (1×0.91 m) was equipped with 3 and 2 hay racks and filled with H, S or L, and H or S, respectively. The experiments lasted from the 27<sup>th</sup> day of pregnancy until the day of parturition and 24-h video recordings (10 does/experiment) were evaluated throughout the experiment. The events of carrying the nest materials from the hay racks were registered. In experiment 2/a, the frequency of nest material carrying was highest on the day of parturition. The preferred nest material was L (compared to H and S) on each experimental day except day 30 of pregnancy. At the day of kindling, 87.5, 6.3 and 6.3% of the nests contained pure L, mixed L-H and L-S, respectively. In experiment 2/b, the frequency of nest material carrying (mostly S) was highest on the day of parturition, and on days 27 and 30 of pregnancy. More does built nests with only S (72%) than H (16%), and in 12% of the cases the S and H were mixed. For the purpose of nest building, material S was the most frequently used (72%) compared to other possibilities (H: 16%, S-H: 12%). It can be concluded that rabbit does showed the following clear preferences for specific nest building materials: L&gt;S&gt;H&gt;W.

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