A5040033122- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Plant and animal studies
- Insect behavior and control techniques
- Evolutionary Game Theory and Cooperation
- Genetics, Aging, and Longevity in Model Organisms
Janelia Research Campus
2018-2020
California Institute of Technology
2002-2011
Occidental College
2011
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
2002
Methods available for quickly and objectively quantifying the behavioral phenotypes of fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, lag behind in sophistication tools developed manipulating their genotypes. We have a simple, easy-to-replicate, general-purpose experimental chamber studying ground-based behaviors flies. The major innovative feature our design is that it restricts flies to shallow volume space, forcing all interactions take place within monolayer individuals. lessens frequency occlude...
When males of the roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans come into association with their hermaphroditic counterparts they cease foraging behavior and begin to mate. Here we detail several assays used demonstrate that a diffusible cue is correlated this process. This sexually dimorphic, given off only by hermaphrodite eliciting response in male. Males are attracted to, reverse direction movement frequently, remain regions agar conditioned hermaphrodites. From our studies suggest form kinesis works...
Significance To survive, an organism must adjust its behavior based upon past experiences. In Drosophila , aggression affects fitness as it ensures access to food and mating resources. Here, we show that repeated aggressive encounters, males adopt a winner or loser state shows the qualities of persistence generalization. Winning is perceived rewarding, while losing aversive. We also demonstrate activity specific dopamine neurons needed for avoid odor previously paired with losing. Although...
Cues from both an animal's internal physiological state and its local environment may influence decision to disperse. However, identifying quantifying the causative factors underlying initiation of dispersal is difficult in uncontrolled natural settings. In this study, we automatically monitored movement fruit flies examined food availability, sex, reproductive status on their between laboratory environments. general, with mating experience behave as if they are hungrier than virgin flies,...
Social interactions pivot on an animal's experiences, internal states and feedback from others. This complexity drives the need for precise descriptions of behavior to dissect fine detail its genetic neural circuit bases. In laboratory assays, male Drosophila melanogaster reliably exhibit aggression, extent is generally measured by scoring lunges, a feature aggression in which one quickly thrusts onto his opponent. Here, we introduce explicit approach identify both onset reversals...
ABSTRACT Social interactions pivot on an animal’s experiences, internal states, and feedback from others. This complexity drives the need for precise descriptions of behavior to dissect fine detail its genetic neural circuit bases. In laboratory assays, male Drosophila melanogaster reliably exhibit aggression, extent is generally measured by scoring lunges, a feature aggression in which one quickly thrusts onto his opponent. Here, we introduce explicit approach identify both onset reversals...