Neural mechanisms of grouping behavior Restricted; Files Only
Fricker, Brandon (Spring 2024)
Abstract
Highly social, group-living species have the ability to accomplish impressive feats. For many species, including humans, interactions with groups occur on a daily basis. Behaviors that may be exhibited during group interactions can range from affiliative to aggressive or cooperative to simply tolerant. For this dissertation, grouping behavior is broadly defined as any type of behavior that occurs in groups, focusing not only on the behavior of the group as a whole unit but also on individuals within the group. Although there are numerous species that live in large groups, we know surprisingly little about the neurobiological mechanisms underlying grouping behaviors in mammalian species. We can further our understanding of why and how animals display the dazzling array of grouping behaviors we observe in the wild by examining how neural mechanisms facilitates basic drives such as the preference to affiliate with large groups and the ability to exhibit social recognition. To study mammalian grouping behavior and relevant underlying neural mechanisms, I used the spiny mouse (Acomys dimidiatus). I have previously shown that spiny mice prefer affiliating in large groups, indiscriminately approach any conspecific, regardless of context, and exhibit high degrees of prosociality and low levels of aggression. In this dissertation, I examine how neural mechanisms facilitate the preference to affiliate with a large group as well as how these circuits allow an animal to distinguish between different types of conspecifics within a group. In Chapter 1 I use immediate early gene studies, neural tracing techniques, and circuit-specific chemogenetic manipulations to identify a neural circuit involved in the modulation of peer group size preferences. In Chapter 2 I then examine differences in spiny mice behavior with distinct types or conspecifics and neural processing of kinship and familiarity during dyadic interactions. Together, this body of work provides new insight to a growing field on the neuroscience of grouping behavior.
Table of Contents
General Introduction. 11
References. 15
1 CHAPTER I. Cingulate to septal circuitry facilitates the preference to affiliate with large peer groups. 20
Summary. 21
Introduction. 22
Results. 24
Discussion. 41
STAR Methods. 45
KEY RESOURCES TABLE. 51
Supplementary Material 52
References. 59
2 CHAPTER II. Biased brain and behavioral responses towards kin in males of a communally breeding species. 71
Author’s contribution and acknowledgement of reproduction. 72
Abstract 73
Introduction. 74
Results. 77
Discussion. 85
Materials and methods. 92
Supplementary Materials. 98
References. 101
General Discussion. 114
Summary of Findings. 115
Social Context influences grouping behavior. 116
The lateral septum bridges social recognition and group preferences. 117
Conclusion. 118
References 118
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File download under embargo until 22 November 2024 | 2024-03-18 15:43:43 -0400 | File download under embargo until 22 November 2024 |
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