What’s in a Moment: What Can Be Learned About Pair Bonding From Studying Moment-To-Moment Behavioral Synchrony Between Partners?

Partial funding for Open Access provided by the UMD Libraries' Open Access Publishing Fund.Our understanding of the behavioral and physiological mechanisms of monogamy largely comes from studies of behavioral interactions unique to pair-bonded individuals. By focusing on these highly marked behaviors, a remarkable conservation in the mechanisms underlying pair bonding has been revealed; however, we continue to know very little about the range of behavioral and neurobiological mechanisms that could explain the great diversity of pair-bonding phenotypes that exists both within and across species. In order to capture the dynamic nature of bonds over time and across contexts, we need specific, operationally-defined behavioral variables relevant across such a diversity of scenarios. Additionally, we need to be able to situate these behavioral variables within broader frameworks that allow us to interpret and compare patterns seen across species. Here I review what is known about behavioral synchrony with respect to pair bonding and discuss using synchrony as such a variable as well as a framework to expand on our understanding of pair bonding across timescales, contexts and species. First, I discuss the importance of behavioral synchrony and parental coordination for reproductive success in monogamous biparental bird species. Second, I highlight research documenting the critical importance of interpersonal coordination for human social relationships. Finally, I present recent work that experimentally bridges these lines of research by quantifying moment-to-moment behavioral synchrony during brief social interactions in zebra finch dyads. All together, these distinct perspectives support the notion that synchrony (1) is a shared premise for sociality across species, (2) is deeply shaped by social experiences, and (3) exists across timescales, behaviors, and levels of physiology. Conceptualizing pair bonding through the framework of behavioral synchrony is likely to facilitate a deeper understanding of the nuances of how social experiences and interactions impact the brain and behavior.https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.0137

Generation of Priority Research Questions to Inform Conservation Policy and Management at a National Level

Integrating knowledge from across the natural and social sciences is necessary to effectively address societal tradeoffs between human use of biological diversity and its preservation. Collaborative processes can change the ways decision makers think about scientific evidence, enhance levels of mutual trust and credibility, and advance the conservation policy discourse. Canada has responsibility for a large fraction of some major ecosystems, such as boreal forests, Arctic tundra, wetlands, and temperate and Arctic oceans. Stressors to biological diversity within these ecosystems arise from activities of the country's resource-based economy, as well as external drivers of environmental change. Effective management is complicated by incongruence between ecological and political boundaries and conflicting perspectives on social and economic goals. Many knowledge gaps about stressors and their management might be reduced through targeted, timely research. We identify 40 questions that, if addressed or answered, would advance research that has a high probability of supporting development of effective policies and management strategies for species, ecosystems, and ecological processes in Canada. A total of 396 candidate questions drawn from natural and social science disciplines were contributed by individuals with diverse organizational affiliations. These were collaboratively winnowed to 40 by our team of collaborators. The questions emphasize understanding ecosystems, the effects and mitigation of climate change, coordinating governance and management efforts across multiple jurisdictions, and examining relations between conservation policy and the social and economic well-being of Aboriginal peoples. The questions we identified provide potential links between evidence from the conservation sciences and formulation of policies for conservation and resource management. Our collaborative process of communication and engagement between scientists and decision makers for generating and prioritizing research questions at a national level could be a model for similar efforts beyond Canada

Steroid Concentrations in Plasma, Whole Blood and Brain: Effects of Saline Perfusion to Remove Blood Contamination from Brain

The brain and other organs locally synthesize steroids. Local synthesis is suggested when steroid levels are higher in tissue than in the circulation. However, measurement of both circulating and tissue steroid levels are subject to methodological considerations. For example, plasma samples are commonly used to estimate circulating steroid levels in whole blood, but steroid levels in plasma and whole blood could differ. In addition, tissue steroid measurements might be affected by blood contamination, which can be addressed experimentally by using saline perfusion to remove blood. In Study 1, we measured corticosterone and testosterone (T) levels in zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata) plasma, whole blood, and red blood cells (RBC). We also compared corticosterone in plasma, whole blood, and RBC at baseline and after 60 min restraint stress. In Study 2, we quantified corticosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), T, and 17β-estradiol (E2) levels in the brains of sham-perfused or saline-perfused subjects. In Study 1, corticosterone and T concentrations were highest in plasma, significantly lower in whole blood, and lowest in RBC. In Study 2, saline perfusion unexpectedly increased corticosterone levels in the rostral telencephalon but not other regions. In contrast, saline perfusion decreased DHEA levels in caudal telencephalon and diencephalon. Saline perfusion also increased E2 levels in caudal telencephalon. In summary, when comparing local and systemic steroid levels, the inclusion of whole blood samples should prove useful. Moreover, blood contamination has little or no effect on measurement of brain steroid levels, suggesting that saline perfusion is not necessary prior to brain collection. Indeed, saline perfusion itself may elevate and lower steroid concentrations in a rapid, region-specific manner

New genetic loci link adipose and insulin biology to body fat distribution.

Body fat distribution is a heritable trait and a well-established predictor of adverse metabolic outcomes, independent of overall adiposity. To increase our understanding of the genetic basis of body fat distribution and its molecular links to cardiometabolic traits, here we conduct genome-wide association meta-analyses of traits related to waist and hip circumferences in up to 224,459 individuals. We identify 49 loci (33 new) associated with waist-to-hip ratio adjusted for body mass index (BMI), and an additional 19 loci newly associated with related waist and hip circumference measures (P < 5 × 10(-8)). In total, 20 of the 49 waist-to-hip ratio adjusted for BMI loci show significant sexual dimorphism, 19 of which display a stronger effect in women. The identified loci were enriched for genes expressed in adipose tissue and for putative regulatory elements in adipocytes. Pathway analyses implicated adipogenesis, angiogenesis, transcriptional regulation and insulin resistance as processes affecting fat distribution, providing insight into potential pathophysiological mechanisms

The neuroendocrine regulation of pair-maintenance behavior in the opportunistically breeding zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata)

Understanding affiliative behavior is critical to understanding social organisms. While affiliative behaviors are known to exist across taxa and a wide range of contexts, the bulk of what is known about the physiological regulation of affiliation comes from studies of mammals. The zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata) is a good model to further our understanding of the neuroendocrine regulation of affiliative behaviors. Zebra finches form sexually monogamous pair bonds, which they actively maintain throughout the year. Thus, in this system we can examine the regulatory mechanisms of affiliation associated with long-term pair maintenance both within and outside of a breeding context. In this dissertation, I present a series of studies using the zebra finch to examine the hypothesis that sex steroids regulate pair-maintenance behavior differently depending on breeding condition. In brief, I report that, (a) zebra finches have distinct sex steroid profiles based on breeding condition, (b) levels of testosterone and estradiol levels are maintained in behaviorally-relevant regions of water-restricted (i.e. non-breeding) zebra finches, (c) aromatase inhibition rapidly increases pair-maintenance behavior (proximity time), (d) chronic male-testosterone treatment decreases pair-maintenance behavior (proximity time under stressed conditions), and (e) sex steroid profiles and pair-maintenance behavior are not correlated in wild-caught zebra finches. Taken together, this work suggests that sex steroids have breeding-specific and social-context-specific regulatory effects on pair-maintenance behavior. Finally, this research shows the importance of controlling for breeding condition in all behavioral neuroendocrinology research on zebra finches and it highlights the role of seasonality in the expression and regulation of affiliative behaviors.Science, Faculty ofZoology, Department ofGraduat

Water restriction influences intra-pair vocal behavior and the acoustic structure of vocalisations in the opportunistically breeding zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata)

International audienc

Personality in the wild zebra finch : exploration, sociality, and reproduction

Although personality has been well studied in a wide range of species, relatively few studies have assessed if behavior in standardized captive tests is predictive of behavior in the wild. We captured wild zebra finches around 2 breeding colonies and assayed their exploratory behavior with a novel environment test. The birds’ foraging behavior in the wild was also measured with the use of a passive integrated transponder tag system to monitor their use of feeders that were periodically moved around the colonies to assess exploratory behavior and sociality. During the same period, individuals’ reproductive success was monitored at the nest-boxes being used in this area. We found that our measures of sociality, wild, and captive exploration were repeatable, but contrary to our predictions, exploration in the novel environment test was not significantly correlated with exploration of feeders in the wild. We failed to find a predicted negative relationship between exploration and sociality, instead finding a significant positive correlation between exploration in the novel environment and sociality. Finally, we found little evidence that any of our measured personality traits influenced reproductive success at the colony, either individually or when the interactions between the personalities of both members of the pair were taken into account. The only exception was that highly exploratory males (assayed with wild feeder behavior) were more likely to make breeding attempts than less exploratory males. Our results suggest that researchers should use caution when using tests such as the classic novel environment test to make inferences about personality in wild populations.12 page(s

Context-dependent effects of testosterone treatment to males on pair maintenance behaviour in zebra finches

International audienceMonogamous pair bonds can be transient or long-lasting, which varies across species. The neuroendocrine mechanisms regulating pair maintenance behaviours are largely unknown, yet fundamental to our understanding of monogamy. Furthermore, the expression and regulation of pair maintenance behaviour is likely to be greatly influenced by social and environmental contexts. Our previous research suggested that androgens might regulate long-term pair maintenance behaviour in the monogamous zebra finch, Taeniopygia guttata. Here, we tested the hypothesis that testosterone treatment to males affects long-term pair maintenance behaviour in zebra finches. Established pairs were randomly assigned to one of two groups: control (N = 8) or testosterone (N = 7). Males were given either an empty or a testosterone-filled Silastic implant. Physical and acoustic affiliative behaviours and plasma testosterone levels were examined at three time points: pre-implantation, 30 days post-implant and 60 days post-implant. Importantly, we examined affiliative behaviours under two contexts: in the home cage (baseline) and following a brief chase (post stressor). Male testosterone treatment had no effects on behaviour during the baseline period, but significantly affected behaviours during the post stressor period. Specifically, testosterone-treated males spent less time in close proximity to their partner and sang more. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a context-dependent effect in the neuroendocrine regulation of pair maintenance behaviour, as well as the first report of an inhibitory effect of testosterone on zebra finch pairing behaviours. These results raise interesting questions about the function of affiliative behaviours in established pair bonds