:: Current research project

Neural mechanisms of behavioural plasticity in fish

Animals have to adjust their social behaviour according to the social environment in which they live. This behavioural plasticity can be achieved by structural reorganization or by biochemical switching of the neural networks underlying social behaviour. The main goal is to understand the role of neurogenesis in neural mechanisms underlying behavioural plasticity. For this purpose two fish species will be used that express different degree of behavioural plasticity. The main model species will be the Mozambique tilapia, Oreochromis mossambicus in which rapid and reversible changes in behaviour are associated with changes in social status. Additionally, the peacock blenny Salaria pavo will also be studied since it exhibits alternative reproductive tactics in which individuals go through marked irreversible behavioural changes during their development. It is expected that neural changes underlying irreversible behavioural modifications in S. pavo should be more structural than those responsible for transient changes in social status in O. mossambicus.

:: Selected publications

- Gonçalves, D., Teles, M., Alpedrinha, J. and Oliveira, R.F. 2008. Brain and gonadal aromatase activity in polymorphic males of the peacock blenny Salaria pavo. Hormones and Behavior 54(5): 717-725.

- Gonçalves, D., Alpedrinha, J., Teles, M. and Oliveira, R.F. 2007. Endocrine control of sexual behavior in sneaker males of the peacock blenny Salaria pavo: effects of castration, aromatase inhibition, testosterone, and estradiol. Hormones and Behavior 51: 534-541.