Dynamic interactions of behavior and amine neurochemistry in acquisition and maintenance of social rank in crayfish

This review summarizes a set of experimental approaches with which we explo re fighting behavior in crayfish and the importance of aminergic systems in its control. Our results illustrate that agonistic behavior in crustaceans can be characterized within a quantitative framework, that different types of behavioral plasticity in aggressive behavior are in need of physiologic al explanation, and that pharmacological intervention involving serotonergi c systems produces characteristic changes in fighting. Moreover, we attempt to identify changes in neurochemistry during the acquisition of social sta tus. Many of the studies presented here summarize ongoing work. Nonetheless , results to date complement and extend previous detailed physiological, mo rphological and biochemical studies exploring the roles of amines in aggres sion. Copyright (C) 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel.