First Description of Reproductive Behavior and Alternative Reproductive Strategy in the Deep-sea Fish, Careproctus pellucidus.

The reproductive biology of deep-sea fishes is largely unknown because of the difficulty of behavioral observations in this environment. In this study, the reproductive behavior of the deep-sea snailfish, Careproctus pellucidus, which lives at depths > 200 m, was observed in an aquarium. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report to observe and describe the reproductive behavior of deep-sea fish under free-living conditions. Fishes were collected at a depth of approximately 300 m (36°70′ N; 141°00′ E) on July and August 2018 and kept for observation until March 2019. We observed that almost all spawnings took place between one male and one female. Males defended a spawning substrate against other males and exhibited body-wiggling behavior for both courtship and aggressive display. Females visited the male’s territory and spawned a demersal adhesive egg mass on the substrate. The territorial male then sought the spawned eggs using filamentous rays in the lower pectoral-fin lobe and released sperm when he located the eggs. Males remained near the spawning substrate after spawning but did not perform any parental care. Notably, sneaking behavior by a non-territorial male was observed in one case; this is the first report of this alternative reproductive strategy (or tactic) in a deep-sea fish. Our study reveals the unique reproductive biology of the deep-sea fish, C. pellucidus, which does not depend on visual information and uses other sensory modalities.

Conspecific aggression strategies are conditioned by environmental, social and intrinsic variables in breeding blue tits Cyanistes caeruleus

Territorial behaviour arises as a strategy of ensuring individuals’ access to a variety of potentially limiting resources. While aggressiveness is a well-studied widespread trait across taxa, the mechanisms that allow for a range of aggressive phenotypes to coexist in the wild remains unclear. In this study, we analyse environmental, social and intrinsic variables that can modulate the expression of different strategies of male–male aggressiveness. Furthermore, through network analysis we explore the role of this trait in the establishment of territories during the breeding season as the intensity of different aggressiveness strategies may limit or grant access to resources. Simulating territorial intrusions during the early incubation period, we assessed the aggressiveness of breeding male blue tits (Cyanistes caeruleus). We defined three types of conspecific aggressiveness (nonconfrontational intimidating, nonconfrontational cautious and confrontational) and analysed the effect of habitat structure, territory quality, presence of other breeding species and male condition on the type and intensity of the aggressive display. The results obtained suggest that yearling males rely on intimidating behaviour more than older males, that perform more cautious displays. Furthermore, smaller and heavier males opted for confrontational strategies. The density and nature of neighbours, as well as the territory quality and the habitat structure, also conditioned the intensity and type of display. Surprisingly, the network analysis revealed that the intensity of male–male aggressive displays did not condition the establishment of breeding territories. Our results suggest that aggressiveness is a context-specific trait shaped by a complex array of environmental and intrinsic parameters.

A certain note on the wrestling behavior of Haemadipsa picta leeches

Some terrestrial leeches mate by entwining the anterior ends of their bodies and then copulating. Here, we report first observations of a similar behavioral pattern in Haemadipsa picta terrestrial leeches from Malaysian Borneo. However, because the observed pattern can be easily induced artificially with no clear evidence of copulation, we suggest that it may serve another function, particularly in H. picta. We hypothesize that the wrestling behavior, as we term it, may be a ritualized aggressive display driven by competition for ambush location. Haemadipsid fauna of the region is poorly studied, therefore our observations extend limited knowledge about these leeches and open interesting research avenues for the study of the wrestling behavior.

Understanding behavior in a captive Lion-tailed macaques (Macaca silenus) group

A captive lion-tailed macaque group, consisting of two adult males and one adult female, was observed over a period of three months. We collected the data from 8.30hrs to 17.30hrs, using both focal and scan animal sampling methods. In the study, we divided the behaviors into abnormal and normal behavioral traits which were further divided into self-directed and social interchange behaviors. When compared with the past records on the wild and captive group, most of the behaviors were similar which included behaviors like forage, grooming, aggressive display and reproductive behavior. Animals who were born in a zoo or confiscated from another zoo showed higher levels of abnormal behaviors. The results of this study discuss the range of behavioral patterns displayed by the captive animals, discuss the causal factors for the behavioral pathogens, and further suggests feasible solutions to increase the welfare of these macaques. In the study, the early life history of the animal and the lack of social and environmental stimulus could be very critical for the development of behavioral pathogens. However, to establish this would require more research.

Heterochely and laterality in Kingsleya castrensis Pedraza, Martinelli-Filho & Magalhães, 2015 (Decapoda, Pseudothelphusidae)

Crabs of the family Pseudothelphusidae are restricted to the Neotropical region and new species are described every year. They are threatened by habitat loss and knowledge of this family is almost limited to taxonomy and faunal surveys. Here, we investigate the presence of heterochely and laterality in Kingsleya castrensis, as a tool to infer ecological and behavioural aspects. Since most Pseudothelphusidae were described from a few individuals only, some aspects of morphological variation, sexual dimorphism, heterochely and laterality are confirmed herein for the first time for a species of Kingsleya. The sizes of dactylus and propodus of males, as well as the allometric growth of both sides of the chelipeds, were significantly larger and higher, respectively, when compared to females. The right side was significantly longer than the left and both sexes displayed right-handedness. These results are similar to those from other freshwater crab families, and provide a clue to a possible aggressive, display, and territorial behaviour in K. castrensis.

Hormonal regulation of social ascent and temporal patterns of behavior in an African cichlid

For many species, social rank determines which individuals perform certain social behaviors and when. Higher ranking or dominant (DOM) individuals maintain status through aggressive interactions and perform courtship behaviors while non-dominant (ND) individuals do not. In some species ND individuals ascend (ASC) in social rank when the opportunity arises. Many important questions related to the mechanistic basis of social ascent remain to be answered. We probed whether androgen signaling regulates social ascent in male Astatotilapia burtoni, an African cichlid whose social hierarchy can be readily controlled in the laboratory. As expected, androgen receptor (AR) antagonism abolished reproductive behavior during social ascent. However, we discovered multiple AR-dependent—and AR-independent—temporal behavioral patterns that typify social ascent and dominance. AR antagonism in ASC males reduced the speed of behavioral performance compared to DOM males. Socially ascending males, independent of AR activation, were more likely than DOM males to follow aggressive displays with another aggressive display. Further analyses revealed differences in the sequencing of aggressive and courtship behaviors, wherein DOM males were more likely than ASC males to follow male-directed aggression with courtship displays. Strikingly, this difference was driven mostly by ASC males taking longer to transition from aggression to courtship, suggesting ASC males can perform certain DOM-typical temporal behavioral patterns. Our results indicate androgen signaling drives social ascent, but hormonal signaling and social experience shape the full suite of DOM-typical behavioral patterns.

Acute fluoxetine differently affects aggressive display in zebrafish phenotypes

Zebrafish have been introduced as a model organism in behavioral neuroscience and biological psychiatry, increasing the breadth of findings using fish to study the neurobiology of aggression. Phenotypic differences between leopard and longfin zebrafish were exploited in order to elucidate the role of phasic serotonin in aggressive displays on this species. The present study revealed differences in aggressive display between leopard and longfin zebrafish, and a discrepant effect of acute fluoxetine in both populations. In mirror-induced aggression, leopard animals showed higher display latencies than longfin, as well as lower display duration and frequency (Experiment 1). Moreover, 2.5 mg/kg fluoxetine decreased the duration and frequency of display in longfin, but not leopard; and 5 mg/kg fluoxetine increased display frequency in leopard, but not longfin (Experiment 2). It is suggested that zebrafish from the longfin phenotype show more aggressive motivation and readiness in the mirror-induced aggression test that leopard, and that acute fluoxetine increases aggression in leopard and decreased it in longfin zebrafish.

" Rethinking Theory: The Question of Distributive Justice in Jurisprudence "

In recent years, there has been a growing debate on the nature of Jurisprudence. Conventionally understood as the theory and philosophy of law, Jurisprudence in the modern era, has had to deal with issues manating from the more 'earthy' realms of political obligation and discourses on the 'nature of the state'. The great diversity of legal systems we see around the world, themselves pose a complex challenge when it comes to defining the 'province' of Jurisprudence. This paper seeks to examine certain basic questions like-What is the best legal system we can possibly hope for? Will these systems safeguard the basic rights of marginalized communities in conditions where there is an aggressive display of 'majoritarian will'? In order to answer these questions this paper will be looking at the contributions of various legal theorists, in particular those of Ronald Dworkin and John Rawls. Dworkin posits the idea of 'entrenching' certain rights, so that these rights are not undermined or destroyed through legislative prejudices. Rawls who in some senses represents the best traditions of the 'welfare liberals, elaborates on the idea of 'justice as fairness' and notions of distributive justice. The moot questions are —can these models be prescribed in the Indian context? Or is there a prospect of an indigenous theory which broadens the horizons of Jurisprudence?