果蝇在行为遗传学研究中的重要性及其求爱行为的研究现状

果蝇是研究行为遗传学的良好材料。果蝇的性行为包括交尾前在视觉、听觉、嗅觉、触觉、刺激的传递和接受等方面相当复杂的“求爱行为”,受种特异性配偶认识系统的支配。雄果蝇的求爱歌包括正弦歌和脉冲歌,具有种的特异性。果蝇的信息素起“性引诱”作用,雌果蝇腹部的内部组织可能是产生某种信息素的场所。     

封面故事果蝇的同性性行为研究

同性性行为在许多动物中都被观察到,但其生物学机制尚所知甚少.我们通过遗传学和药理学方法调控果蝇脑内多巴胺细胞中多巴胺水平来研究多巴胺对果蝇雄性同性求偶行为的影响.     

昆虫求偶行为在分类学上的应用

昆虫求偶行为是两性间相互吸引并完成各种生殖活动的一种定向行为,其形式多样,存在种的特异性。不同物种其求偶行为不同,以此来帮助区分特定类群近缘种、识别生物学种显得非常有意义。本文综述了性信息素求偶行为、鸣声求偶行为、闪光求偶行为以及献礼求偶行为在分类学上的应用。     

果蝇的同性性行为研究

同性性行为在许多动物中都被观察到,但其生物学机制尚所知甚少。我们通过遗传学和药理学方法调控果蝇脑内多巴胺细胞中多巴胺水平来研究多巴胺对果蝇雄性同性求偶行为的影响。     

果蝇脑内多巴胺水平过高诱发雄性果蝇之间的“同性之恋”

5月21日在线发表在《Journal of Neuroscience》杂志上发表了中国科学院上海生命科学院对果蝇求偶行为的最新研究成果,该研究发现果蝇脑内多巴胺水平过高诱发雄性果蝇之间的“同性之恋”。求偶行为对于动物物种的繁衍和其对环境的适应都是非常重要的。果蝇的求偶行为是一个复杂     

果蝇求偶行为分子调控机制的研究进展

果蝇(Drosophila)的求偶行为受多个基因调控,例如fruitless(fru)、dissatisfaction(dsf)和retained(retn)等。它们通过不同的剪切方式产生特异性产物,利用这些产物来控制雌雄果蝇的求偶行为,它们的剪切方式是雌雄果蝇求偶行为和性别决定所必需的。主要阐述了这些基因在果蝇求偶行为方面的分子调控机制,为进一步研究果蝇的求偶行为和性别决定提供理论依据。     

果蝇脑内多巴胺水平过高诱发雄性果蝇之间的“同性之恋”

求偶行为对于动物物种的繁衍和其对环境的适应都是非常重要的。果蝇的求偶行为是一个复杂的过程,它包括六个步骤：雄蝇转向雌蝇,拍打,唱求偶歌,舔雌蝇尾端,试图交尾和交尾成功。虽然求偶行为通常发生在异性之间,但某些基因的突变和异位表达可以诱发雄性果蝇间的求偶行为。     

植物挥发物对蛾类昆虫性信息素的影响

在植物与昆虫的协同进化过程中,植物挥发物与昆虫性信息素的相互关系一直以来被认为是物种间的重要通信系统。这种相互关系表现为植物挥发物对昆虫生理和行为的影响上,影响昆虫性信息素的合成和昆虫对性信息素的行为反应。本文针对植物挥发物对蛾类昆虫性信息素的影响进行了综述。评述了寄主植物挥发物对蛾类昆虫性信息素或前体的合成及性信息素的产生与释放的影响,总结了寄主植物和非寄主植物挥发物对蛾类昆虫的求偶行为的调控作用及对蛾类昆虫性信息素的增效或抑制作用阐述了植物挥发物影响蛾类昆虫对性信息素行为反应的机理,并且讨论了目前存在的问题。     

沙柳木蠹蛾性行为及其性信息素滴度的动态节律

沙柳木蠹蛾Holcocerus arenicola是为害沙柳Salix psammophila的主要钻蛀性害虫之一。在进入暗期后的6 h内,对其求偶行为和交配行为进行观察和记录,调查该虫求偶和交配的活动规律。通过触角电位技术（EAG）和毛细管气相色谱（GC）对性腺体内信息素的滴度进行了分析,以揭示性信息素产生的昼夜节律和雌虫日龄对性信息素合成的影响。结果表明：该虫在暗期0.5~1 h内即开始有求偶行为,最大求偶高峰出现在羽化后的第2晚。交配行为主要发生在暗期的1~2 h内。在各日龄的成虫中,1日龄成虫的交配百分率最高。交配平均时间为24.16±2.64 min,随着日龄的增加,交配时间前移。在实验中,未观察到5~6日龄成虫的交配行为。沙柳木蠹蛾性信息素的体内合成早于求偶行为1~2 h,并在暗期的前2 h内达到峰值。性信息素的滴度随着雌虫日龄的增减而减少,最高值为当日羽化雌虫的腺体提取物。林间诱蛾实验中,处女雌蛾和性腺体提取物对雄蛾均有较好的诱捕效果。本研究表明,在沙柳木蠹蛾的性信息素滴度和性活动之间具有同步关系,同时为进一步利用长距离性信息素防治该虫提供了参考。     

实验果蝇的一些饲养技巧和注意事项

果蝇（Drosophila melanogaster）属双翅目小型昆虫,是经典的遗传学实验材料。摩尔根利用果蝇实验发现了连锁互换规律及白眼基因的性连锁遗传,提出基因在染色体上直线排列的论断,其学生穆勒则开创了X射线诱变的先河。目前果蝇还作为人类基因组计划和行为遗传学以及神经生物学的模式生物,可以说果蝇已成为遗传学各分支学科的最常用实验动物之一,实验室培养果蝇是一项基础技术。现介绍笔者在果蝇饲养方面一些技巧和注意事项。     

The genetics of mating recognition between Drosophila simulans and D. sechellia

During courtship, visual and chemical signals are often exchanged between the sexes. The proper exchange of such signals ensures intraspecific recognition. We have examined the genetic basis of interspecific differences in male mating behaviour and pheromone concentration between Drosophila simulans and D. sechellia by using Drosophila simulans/D. sechellia introgression lines. Our results show a majority of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) explaining variation in both male mating behaviour and pheromone concentration to be located on the third chromosome. One QTL found on the third chromosome explains variation in time needed to start courtship and copulation as well as time spent courting. The position of such QTL (approximately 84A-88B) with effects on courtship and copulation aspects of mating includes the candidate sex determination gene doublesex (84E5-6) and Voila (86E1-2), a gene that affects male courtship in D. melanogaster. One additional third chromosome QTL explained variation in 7-tricosene pheromone concentrations among males. The interval mapping position of this QTL (approximately 68E-76E) did not overlap with the position detected for differences in mating behaviour and the intervals did not include candidate genes previously identified as having an effect on D. melanogaster cuticular hydrocarbon production. We did not detect any directionality of the effect of Drosophila sechellia allele introgressions in male mating recognition.     

Pheromonal inhibition of male courtship behaviour in the brown tree snake, Boiga irregularis: a mechanism for the rejection of potential mates

Pheromones play a central role in coordinating the events leading up to copulation in snakes. We report here a novel pheromone system in the brown tree snake in which females release a pheromone that inhibits male courtship behaviour. In a previous study, we made observations of female brown tree snakes releasing cloacal secretions (CS) during courtship that appeared to cause courting males to cease courtship. All snakes have glands that release CS through ducts located along the cloacal orifice. Although CS have been studied for many years, their function in the mediation of snake behaviour has not been experimentally well determined. We examined the role of CS in the reproductive behaviour of male and female brown tree snakes. We conducted four experiments to test the effect of both male and female CS on brown tree snake behaviour under two behavioural contexts, courtship and male-male ritualized combat. Within each experiment, we compared the effects of CS to a control. Female CS caused a decrease in the time that males spent courting females and a decrease in the intensity of courtship compared with the control treatment. Male CS did not, however, affect the time that males spent displaying courtship or the intensity of that courtship. Neither male nor female CS had significant effects on male ritualized combat behaviour, including time that males spent in combat or the intensity of combat behaviours displayed. Furthermore, neither female nor male CS had an effect on female courtship versus controls. The inhibition of brown tree snake reproductive behaviours is specific to female CS inhibiting male courtship behaviour. This pheromone acts in concert with the female sex pheromone to regulate the events leading to copulation.Copyright 2003 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd on behalf of The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour.      

Genetics of sexual behaviour in Drosophila

The analysis of genetics of behaviour within and between species provides important clues about the forces shaping the evolution of behavioural genes. In Drosophila, a number of key processes such as emergence from the pupal case, locomotor activity, feeding, olfaction and aspects of mating behaviour are under circadian regulation. Genes controlling sexual behaviour are likely to control species specific differences in courtship that are involved in reproductive isolation of closely related species. Courtship in Drosophila is characterized by a series of stereotyped behaviours that lead to copulation and more than 30 genes have been identified through mutations that affect one or more of these elements. Although curiosity about behavioural differences between the sexes undoubtedly predates recorded history, little efforts have been made to uncover the molecular basis of male and female courtship. The brain and nervous system functions that underlie sex-specific behaviour are of obvious importance to all animals including humans. To understand behaviour related to sex it is important to distinguish those aspects that are controlled genetically. The isolation and analysis of Drosophila mutants with altered sexual orientation lead to the identification of novel branches in the sex-determination cascade, which govern the sexually dimorphic development of the nervous system.     

Acoustic communication in Drosophila

Acoustic communication during courtship has been extensively studied in many Drosophila species. Here we summarise approaches that have been applied to the study of both song production and hearing. These approaches harnessed a variety of genetic tools available in Drosophila, such as isolation of song or hearing mutants, QTL mapping and transgenesis as well as electrophysiology and behavioural analysis. We also provide a short guide for the methodology used in acoustic studies in Drosophila and discuss prospects and new tools that would benefit future research.     

Culture and courtship in vertebrates: a review of social learning and transmission of courtship systems and mating patterns

Female and male animals often choose mates based upon the complementarity of their courtship behaviours and preferences. The importance of this fact on the evolutionary dynamics of populations has long been appreciated. What has not been appreciated is the role that social learning might play in the transmission of systems of courtship behaviour across generations. This paper addresses the social transmission of courtship behavioural traditions in vertebrates. It discusses views of culture in the context of behavioural signals and preferences in courtship. It then reviews empirical evidence for culture-like processes affecting courtship behaviour, focusing on studies of song learning in passerine birds and work on social learning of mating preferences. The paper concludes with potential future directions for research on social traditions in systems of courtship behaviour, including determining mechanisms of transmission, genetic and non-social environmental effects, and selective factors influencing the stability of behavioural traditions over time. By integrating proximate and ultimate questions for the transmission of courtship systems, this work would increase our understanding of the ways individual development, cultural processes, and population evolution influence, and are in turn influenced by, one another.     

Effects of pollution on reproductive behaviour of fishes

This review attempts to integrate pollution research with behavioural ecology by focusing on reproductive behaviour of fishes. A search of Aquatic Sciences and Fisheries Abstractsand other sources showed that only 0.1% of 19 199 studies of aquatic pollution and fishes during the past 20 years have made this link. Effects on parental care and courtship have been investigated using a variety of pollutants (e.g. acidification, herbicide, thermal effluent) in several fish families (e.g. Cichlidae, Poeciliidae, Gasterosteidae, Cyprinidae).Eleven of the 19 studies found a change in behaviour from the norm. Effects on courtship included decreases or increases in frequency of displays, increased courtship duration, or performance of male-like behaviour by masculinized females. Studies of parental care have found decreased nest-building activity, decreased offspring defence, or changes in division of parental care between the sexes. Few studies have measured reproductive success or extrapolated their results to effects on populations.We develop a framework for exploring links between pollution and behavioural ecology which suggests potential impacts on life history trade-offs in reproduction, genetic changes in populations, and population sizes. Many reproductive behaviours of fish species are readily quantifiable and behaviours such as courtship by male guppies and other members of the Poeciliidae show some promise for pollution monitoring and behavioural toxicity tests. Choice of such assays would have to compete with the sensitivity and practicality of more traditional methods but may serve as useful complements. There is considerable scope for further research into conservation. A synthesis between behavioural ecology and toxicology should thus provide useful insights for both fields     

Courtship behaviour of the African Maize Stem Borer: Busseola fusca (Fuller) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) under laboratory conditions

Busseola fusca (Fuller) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is the most important African stem borer damaging maize and sorghum. Chemical mediators play an essential role in all life cycle of this moth, especially for mating recognition and host plant choice. The female sex pheromone, courtship and mating behaviours act on the reproductive isolation within insect populations. B. fusca courtship behaviour was studied to decipher each step that could account as a process for reproductive isolation. B. fusca males and females presented a very simple and fast courtship behaviour, without any particular events or male pheromone emission.     

Behavioural mechanisms of sexual isolation involving multiple modalities and their inheritance

Speciation research dissects the genetics and evolution of reproductive barriers between parental species. Hybrids are the “gatekeepers” of gene flow, so it is also important to understand the behavioural mechanisms and genetics of any potential isolation from their parental species. We tested the role of multiple behavioural barriers in reproductive isolation among closely related field crickets and their hybrids (Teleogryllus oceanicus and Teleogryllus commodus). These species hybridize in the laboratory, but the behaviour of hybrids is unusual and there is little evidence for gene flow in the wild. We found that heterospecific pairs exhibited reduced rates of courtship behaviour due to discrimination by both sexes, and that this behavioural isolation was symmetrical. However, hybrids were not sexually selected against and exhibited high rates of courtship behaviour even though hybrid females are sterile. Using reciprocal hybrid crosses, we characterized patterns of interspecific divergence and inheritance in key sexual traits that might underlie the mating patterns we found: calling song, courtship song and cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs). Song traits exhibited both sex linkage and transgressive segregation, whereas CHCs exhibited only the latter. Calculations of the strength of isolation exerted by these sexual traits suggest that close‐range signals are as important as long‐distance signals in contributing to interspecific sexual isolation. The surprisingly weak mating barriers observed between hybrids and parental species highlight the need to examine reproductive isolating mechanisms and their genetic bases across different potential stages of introgressive hybridization.     

An inhibitory sex pheromone tastes bitter for Drosophila males

Sexual behavior requires animals to distinguish between the sexes and to respond appropriately to each of them. In Drosophila melanogaster, as in many insects, cuticular hydrocarbons are thought to be involved in sex recognition and in mating behavior, but there is no direct neuronal evidence of their pheromonal effect. Using behavioral and electrophysiological measures of responses to natural and synthetic compounds, we show that Z-7-tricosene, a Drosophila male cuticular hydrocarbon, acts as a sex pheromone and inhibits male-male courtship. These data provide the first direct demonstration that an insect cuticular hydrocarbon is detected as a sex pheromone. Intriguingly, we show that a particular type of gustatory neurons of the labial palps respond both to Z-7-tricosene and to bitter stimuli. Cross-adaptation between Z-7-tricosene and bitter stimuli further indicates that these two very different substances are processed by the same neural pathways. Furthermore, the two substances induced similar behavioral responses both in courtship and feeding tests. We conclude that the inhibitory pheromone tastes bitter to the fly.