Neuroendocrinological mechanisms for life-long monogamy in syngnathid fishes.

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K06261
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 44050:Animal physiological chemistry, physiology and behavioral biology-related
• Research Institution: Hirosaki University
• Principal Investigator: Sogabe Atsushi 弘前大学, 農学生命科学部, 准教授 (80512714)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 配偶システム / 魚類 / 遺伝子発現解析 / ペアボンド / 一夫一妻

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The purpose of this study is to comprehensively elucidate the neuroendocrine mechanisms that function in maintenance of pair bond in monogamous syngnathid fishes. We used three approaches to accomplish the purpose: 1)the analysis of gene expression in the brain that change their expression levels in response to the behavior important for the maintenance of pair bonds in the life-long monogamous pipefish, 2) comparative transcriptome analysis of four species of syngnathids with different mating systems, and 3) analysis of the vasotocin receptor gene, which is known to be a putative gene for the determination of mating system in voles. Although it was unable to proceed with the research as originally planned due to the new corona disaster, I was able to obtain a number of gene expression profiles that will serve as the basis for future research.

Free Research Field

行動生態学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

多様な配偶システムを示すヨウジウオ科魚類は、北欧を中心にアメリカ、オーストラリアなど海外で盛んに研究されてきた。しかし、これまでの研究は配偶システム決定の究極要因の解明を目指したものであり、配偶システム変異を至近的機構の面から研究した例はほとんどない。ペアボンド維持の至近的機構とその遺伝基盤については、ハタネズミ類を中心にヒトを含む哺乳類で盛んに行われてきたが、魚類や鳥類など広範な分類群にみられる一夫一妻のペアボンド維持機構に系統を超えた普遍性があるのか、個々に独立した進化的起源があるのかは未解決の問題であり、ヨウジウオ科魚類を対象にした本研究はその一端を明らかにするものである。