The serotonin or dopamine by cyclic adenosine monophosphate-protein kinase A pathway involved in the agonistic behaviour of Chinese mitten crab, Eriocheir sinensis

Publication date: Available online 16 July 2019Source: Physiology & BehaviorAuthor(s): Xiao-Zhen Yang, Yang-Yang Pang, Gen-Yong Huang, Min-Jie Xu, Cong Zhang, Long He, Jia-Huan Lv, Ya-Meng Song, Xiao-Zhe Song, Yong-Xu ChengAbstractAgonistic behaviour is common in an encounter between two crustaceans. It often causes limb disability and consumes a lot of energy, which is harmful for the growth and survival of commercially important crustaceans. In the present study, we mainly focused on the agonistic behaviour of the Chinese mitten crab, Eriocheir sinensis, which is an important species of the aquaculture industry in China. We recorded agnostic behaviour with a high-definition camera and preliminarily evaluated the role of serotonin (5-HT) or dopamine (DA)-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-protein kinase A (PKA) pathway and eyestalk in the behaviour. The results showed that agonistic behaviour in E. sinensis consisted of three stages: approach, contact and fight. We found that the number of fights and cumulative time of fight were significantly higher in the male vs. male group than in the female vs. female and female vs. male groups (P < 0.05). After 1 h of agonistic behaviour, 5-HT concentration showed a significant increase and DA concentration showed a significant decrease when compared with the control group (no encounter; P < 0.05). 5-HT1B and 5-HT2B mRNA levels showed a significant increase in the eyestalk (P < 0.05). 5-HT7 mRNA levels show...
Source: Physiology and Behavior - Category: Physiology Source Type: research