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Dynamics and mechanics of social rank reversal

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Abstract

Stable social relationships are rearranged over time as resources such as favored territorial positions change. We test the hypotheses that social rank relationships are relatively stable, and although social signals influence aggression and rank, they are not as important as memory of an opponent. In addition, we hypothesize that eyespots, aggression and corticosterone influence serotonin and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) systems in limbic structures involved in learning and memory. In stable adult dominant-subordinate relationships in the lizard Anolis carolinensis, social rank can be reversed by pharmacological elevation of limbic serotonergic activity. Any pair of specific experiences: behaving aggressively, viewing aggression or perceiving sign stimuli indicative of dominant rank also elevate serotonergic activity. Differences in the extent of serotonergic activation may be a discriminating and consolidating factor in attaining superior rank. For instance, socially aggressive encounters lead to increases in plasma corticosterone that stimulate both serotonergic activity and expression of the NMDA receptor subunit 2B (NR2B) within the CA3 region of the lizard hippocampus. Integration of these systems will regulate opponent recognition and memory, motivation to attack or retreat, and behavioral and physiological reactions to stressful social interactions. Contextually appropriate social responses provide a modifiable basis for coping with the flexibility of social relationships.

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Abbreviations

5-HIAA:

5-Hydroxyindoleacetic acid

5-HT:

Serotonin or 5-hydroxytryptamine

NMDA:

N-Methyl-D-aspartate

NR2A:

NMDA receptor subunit 2A

NR2B:

NMDA receptor subunit 2B

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Acknowledgements

From the symposium Mechanisms of Behavioral Switching presented at the annual meeting of the Animal Behavior Society, 19–23 July 2003, at Boise State University, Idaho. We would like to thank Zen Faulkes for organizing and leading this symposium. Additionally, we thank Buddy Whitman for critical review of this manuscript, and Karen F. Gaines for help with statistical analyses. This research was funded by NIH grants P20 RR15567, R03 MH068303 (G.L.F.), R03 MH068364 (M.J.W.), 1 F31 MH64983 (W.J.K.) and a grant from the USD Office of Research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Biology and Neuroscience, University of South Dakota, 414 East Clark Street, Vermillion, SD, 57069-2390, USA

    Cliff H. Summers, Gina L. Forster, Wayne J. Korzan, Michael J. Watt, Øyvind Øverli, Erik Höglund, Tangi R. Summers & Kenneth J. Renner

  2. Division of General Physiology, Department of Biology, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1051 Blindern, 0316, Oslo, Norway

    Øyvind Øverli & Erik Höglund

  3. Department of Biology, Northeastern University, 414 Mugar Hall, Boston, MA, 02115, USA

    Earl T. Larson

  4. Avera Research Institute, Sioux Falls, SD, 57105, USA

    Patrick J. Ronan

  5. Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, 37996, USA

    Neil Greenberg

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  1. Cliff H. Summers
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Correspondence to Cliff H. Summers.

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Summers, C.H., Forster, G.L., Korzan, W.J. et al. Dynamics and mechanics of social rank reversal. J Comp Physiol A 191, 241–252 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00359-004-0554-z

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