scholarly journals Group housing and social dominance hierarchy affect circadian activity patterns in mice

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 201985
Author(s):  
Yuri Robbers ◽  
Mayke M. H. Tersteeg ◽  
Johanna H. Meijer ◽  
Claudia P. Coomans
Keyword(s):  
Social Environment ◽  
Social Dominance ◽  
Dominance Hierarchy ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Dominance Rank ◽  
Dominant Male ◽  
Group Housing ◽  
Male Mice ◽  
Female Mice ◽  
The Social

In this study, we investigated the effect of social environment on circadian patterns in activity by group housing either six male or six female mice together in a cage, under regular light–dark cycles. Based on the interactions among the animals, the social dominance rank of individual mice was quantitatively established by calculating Elo ratings. Our results indicated that, during our experiment, the social dominance hierarchy was rapidly established, stable yet complex, often showing more than one dominant mouse and several subordinate mice. Moreover, we found that especially dominant male mice, but not female mice, displayed a significantly higher fraction of their activity during daytime. This resulted in reduced rhythm amplitude in dominant males. After division into separate cages, male mice showed an enhancement of their 24 h rhythm, due to lower daytime activity. Recordings of several physiological parameters showed no evidence for reduced health as a potential consequence of reduced rhythm amplitude. For female mice, transfer to individual housing did not affect their daily activity pattern. We conclude that 24 h rhythms under light–dark cycles are influenced by the social environment in males but not in females, and lead to a decrement in behavioural rhythm amplitude that is larger in dominant mice.

scholarly journals An Adolescent Sensitive Period for Social Dominance Hierarchy Plasticity Is Regulated by Cortical Plasticity Modulators in Mice

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucy K. Bicks ◽  
Michelle Peng ◽  
Alana Taub ◽  
Schahram Akbarian ◽  
Hirofumi Morishita
Keyword(s):  
Social Dominance ◽  
Dominance Hierarchy ◽  
Behavioral Plasticity ◽  
Cortical Plasticity ◽  
Developmental Trajectory ◽  
Adolescent Male ◽  
Sensitive Period ◽  
Male Mice ◽  
Dominance Hierarchies ◽  
The Social

Social dominance hierarchies are a common adaptation to group living and exist across a broad range of the animal kingdom. Social dominance is known to rely on the prefrontal cortex (PFC), a brain region that shows a protracted developmental trajectory in mice. However, it is unknown to what extent the social dominance hierarchy is plastic across postnatal development and how it is regulated. Here we identified a sensitive period for experience-dependent social dominance plasticity in adolescent male mice, which is regulated by mechanisms that affect cortical plasticity. We show that social dominance hierarchies in male mice are already formed at weaning and are highly stable into adulthood. However, one experience of forced losing significantly reduces social dominance during the adolescent period but not in adulthood, suggesting adolescence as a sensitive period for experience-dependent social dominance plasticity. Notably, robust adolescent plasticity can be prolonged into adulthood by genetic deletion of Lynx1, a molecular brake that normally limits cortical plasticity through modulation of cortical nicotinic signaling. This plasticity is associated with increased activation of established nodes of the social dominance network including dorsal medial PFC and medial dorsal thalamus evidenced by increased c-Fos. Pharmacologically mediated elevation of cortical plasticity by valproic acid rapidly destabilizes the hierarchy of adult wildtype animals. These findings provide insight into mechanisms through which increased behavioral plasticity may be achieved to improve therapeutic recovery from psychiatric disorders that are associated with social deficits.

scholarly journals Social environment influences the relationship between genotype and gene expression in wild baboons

2013 ◽  
Vol 368 (1618) ◽  
pp. 20120345 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel E. Runcie ◽  
Ralph T. Wiedmann ◽  
Elizabeth A. Archie ◽  
Jeanne Altmann ◽  
Gregory A. Wray ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Individual Differences ◽  
Social Environment ◽  
Group Size ◽  
Early Life ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Dominance Rank ◽  
Social Stressors ◽  
The Social ◽  
Wild Baboons

Variation in the social environment can have profound effects on survival and reproduction in wild social mammals. However, we know little about the degree to which these effects are influenced by genetic differences among individuals, and conversely, the degree to which social environmental variation mediates genetic reaction norms. To better understand these relationships, we investigated the potential for dominance rank, social connectedness and group size to modify the effects of genetic variation on gene expression in the wild baboons of the Amboseli basin. We found evidence for a number of gene–environment interactions (GEIs) associated with variation in the social environment, encompassing social environments experienced in adulthood as well as persistent effects of early life social environment. Social connectedness, maternal dominance rank and group size all interacted with genotype to influence gene expression in at least one sex, and either in early life or in adulthood. These results suggest that social and behavioural variation, akin to other factors such as age and sex, can impact the genotype–phenotype relationship. We conclude that GEIs mediated by the social environment are important in the evolution and maintenance of individual differences in wild social mammals, including individual differences in responses to social stressors.

Behaviour of the Bilby, Macrotis lagotis (Reid), (Marsupialia : Thylacomyidae) in Captivity

1983 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 77 ◽  
Author(s):  
CN Johnson ◽  
KA Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Social Structure ◽  
Feeding Behaviour ◽  
Dominance Hierarchy ◽  
Dominant Male ◽  
Alpha Male ◽  
The Social ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
Below Ground ◽  
Activity Cycles ◽  
Central Australia

The behaviour was observed, in captivity, of the bilby Macrotis lagotis, a fossorial bandicoot of central Australia. Most of the observations were made at night, but some were of below-ground behaviour during the daylight hours. Bilbies proved to be relatively passive in comparison with other bandicoots, and a rigid dominance hierarchy amongst males was maintained without destructive fighting. Dominant males chased subordinate males out of and away from burrows and the alpha male maintained priority of access to all the well used burrows in the enclosure. Males scent-marked around burrows; the dominant male usually marked over scents left by other bilbies. Males shared burrows freely with females, and copulation appears to take place down burrows. Information is also given on female-female and mother-young behaviour, and some suggestions are made concerning the social structure of wild bilbies. Activity cycles, feeding behaviour, etc. are described.

Ecology and behavior of the Cretan agrimi

1984 ◽  
Vol 62 (3) ◽  
pp. 411-420 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas P. Husband ◽  
Phillip B. Davis
Keyword(s):  
Social Dominance ◽  
Dominance Hierarchy ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Natural Mortality ◽  
Ambient Temperatures ◽  
Population Responses ◽  
Capra Aegagrus ◽  
Population Mortality ◽  
And Behavior ◽  
Daily Activity Patterns

The agrimi (Capra aegagrus cretensis Lydekker), an endangered species of wild goat, was studied on Theodorou Island, Crete, Greece, from May to November 1975 to determine population responses of the agrimi to removals and to document their behavioral patterns. The Theodorou population size was 89 agrimi. A mathematical model of population mortality indicated that the number of animals removed from the island between 1973 and 1975 equalled the expected natural mortality for both sexes. Observations of agrimi showed that they had seasonal and daily activity patterns that minimized their exposure to high ambient temperatures. An age- and sex-specific social dominance hierarchy was found, with old males being most dominant.

Epinephrine and Nor-Epinephrine Effects on Social Dominance Behavior

1970 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 195-198 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carl W. Lawrence ◽  
Jack R. Haynes
Keyword(s):  
Social Dominance ◽  
Dominance Hierarchy ◽  
Dominance Behavior ◽  
Differential Effects ◽  
Submissive Behavior ◽  
The Social

Effects of epinephrine and nor-epinephrine on social dominance behavior in 24 male C57BL/6J mice were investigated. The social dominance hierarchy was created by placing pairs of Ss in a linear maze. The only way S could get to the goal box was by pushing the opposing S out. The dominant S pushed the submissive S out of the maze. After the dominance hierarchy was established, each S was placed in the dominance situation under each of the drug conditions, epinephrine and nor-epinephrine. The results showed that all conditions were significantly different from each other, with the greatest amount of dominance behavior being shown under nor-epinephrine and the greatest submissive behavior under epinephrine. It was concluded that epinephrine and nor-epinephrine may have differential effects on social dominance behavior.

scholarly journals Thirukkural and Manu Dharma Shastra

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
N Murugesapandian
Keyword(s):  
Ethnic Group ◽  
Social Environment ◽  
Social Dominance ◽  
Tamil Nadu ◽  
Political Power ◽  
The Political ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Social Stratum ◽  
The Social

In Tamil Nadu, during the Sangam era, Vedic religion and other religions, namely, Jainism and Buddhism, were ideologically introduced. During that period, the social environment of the ethnic group was disintegrating, and the political spread of the Muventhar with the marginal kings was dominant. The land, symbolized by the Tamil language, is expanding and relating to politics. Rules and punishments created in the name of ethics were emphasized in the context of producing bodies that were pro-power. In the ethical texts, Thirukkural and Manu Dharma Shastra are important.The idea that lies in the aftermath of the Thirukkural rules that are celebrated as ethics is to be found. At the same time, the practice of Manu dharma, up and downs in the name of the birth, the inequality of the woman on the basis of gender. In Vedic religion the politics that have kept Bhramins at the top of the social stratum remain early to the present day. As far as Thiruvalluvar is concerned with the development of human beings, Manu has given rise to the social dominance of Varunasirama on the basis of birth. The essence of the article is the attempt to contain the political power that operates in the back of two different ethical literatures.

scholarly journals Distinct gene regulatory signatures of dominance rank and social bond strength in wild baboons

2022 ◽  
Vol 377 (1845) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jordan A. Anderson ◽  
Amanda J. Lea ◽  
Tawni N. Voyles ◽  
Mercy Y. Akinyi ◽  
Ruth Nyakundi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Regulation ◽  
Bond Strength ◽  
Social Environment ◽  
Dominance Rank ◽  
Social Bond ◽  
Immune Gene ◽  
The Social ◽  
Social Environmental ◽  
Change Response ◽  
Wild Baboons

The social environment is a major determinant of morbidity, mortality and Darwinian fitness in social animals. Recent studies have begun to uncover the molecular processes associated with these relationships, but the degree to which they vary across different dimensions of the social environment remains unclear. Here, we draw on a long-term field study of wild baboons to compare the signatures of affiliative and competitive aspects of the social environment in white blood cell gene regulation, under both immune-stimulated and non-stimulated conditions. We find that the effects of dominance rank on gene expression are directionally opposite in males versus females, such that high-ranking males resemble low-ranking females, and vice versa. Among females, rank and social bond strength are both reflected in the activity of cellular metabolism and proliferation genes. However, while we observe pronounced rank-related differences in baseline immune gene activity, only bond strength predicts the fold-change response to immune (lipopolysaccharide) stimulation. Together, our results indicate that the directionality and magnitude of social effects on gene regulation depend on the aspect of the social environment under study. This heterogeneity may help explain why social environmental effects on health and longevity can also vary between measures. This article is part of the theme issue ‘The centennial of the pecking order: current state and future prospects for the study of dominance hierarchies’.

Dominance patterns and positional behaviour of sheep in yards

1974 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 157-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Dove ◽  
R. G. Beilharz ◽  
J. L. Black
Keyword(s):  
Small Groups ◽  
Social Dominance ◽  
Voluntary Movement ◽  
Dominance Hierarchy ◽  
Dominance Status ◽  
Linear Type ◽  
Dominance Structure ◽  
The Social ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Forced Movement

SUMMARY1. Observations were conducted to ascertain the social dominance structure in two small groups of castrated male Corriedale sheep. In these and a third group, the order of the sheep past a fixed point was recorded, when they were moving either voluntarily or under force. Records were also made of the way in which the sheep distributed themselves spatially in a confined area, relative to one or two men simulating yard work. In a fourth group divided into two sub-groups, the social dominance structure was determined before and after the subgroups were mixed, to assess the effect of mixing.2. The small groups showed a distinct social dominance hierarchy of a linear type, similar to that found in cattle and pigs. The dominance status of individual animals was correlated with their body weight, wither height and height at hocks. Dominance status within a subgroup remained stable following the mixing of sub-groups.3. The sheep adopted consistent positions in forced movement, and in relation to one or two men simulating yard work. There was no consistency in voluntary movement. Dominant animals did not lead the forced movement, were usually some distance from man, and were widely scattered from each other.4. Dominance status was closely related to positional behaviour.

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