Does Peripheral Administration of Serotonin Influence Agnostic Behavior in Juvenile Pinfish, Lagodon Rhomboides?

Ben Sherman

Date of Award

2003

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelors

Department

Natural Sciences

First Advisor

Beulig, Alfred

Keywords

Serotonin, Fish, Agonistic Behavior

Area of Concentration

Biology

Abstract

Three experiments were conducted to test the influence of peripherally administered serotonin on agonistic behavior in juvenile pinfish, Lagodon rhomboides. Focal subjects received intraperitoneal injections of serotonin in solution (at doses of 30Dg, 60Dg and 120Dg for the first, second and third experiments, respectively) or placebo. After 48 hours of physical isolation, focal subjects were introduced to groups of four conspecifics. Subject activity was video-recorded at nine sessions over 72 hours. An index of agonistic activity was calculated for each condition, serotonin and control, at each session. The index (I) was based upon advances (A) and retreats (R), and calculated I = A/(A+R). Serotonin and control conditions were compared. At the 30Dg dose, no significant difference was detected between conditions (P=0.1745) although the conditions may have behaved differently. At the 60Dg and the 120~g doses, significant differences between conditions were determined (P=0.0001 and P=0.0005) as the serotonin condition generated a consistently lower index of agonistic activity than the control condition. Logistical differences between experiments hinder determination of dose-dependent effect of treatment.

Rights

This bibliographic record is available under the Creative Commons CC0 public domain dedication. The New College of Florida, as creator of this bibliographic record, has waived all rights to it worldwide under copyright law, including all related and neighboring rights, to the extent allowed by law.

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