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Serotonin blockade delays learning performance in a cooperative fish

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Abstract

Animals use learning and memorizing to gather information that will help them to make ecologically relevant decisions. Neuro-modulatory adjustments enable them to make associations between stimuli and appropriate behavior. A key candidate for the modulation of cooperative behavior is serotonin. Previous research has shown that modulation of the serotonergic system spontaneously affects the behavior of the cleaner wrasse Labroides dimidiatus during interactions with so-called ‘client’ reef fish. Here, we asked whether shifts in serotonin function affect the cleaners’ associative learning abilities when faced with the task to distinguish two artificial clients that differ in their value as a food source. We found that the administration of serotonin 1A receptor antagonist significantly slowed learning speed in comparison with saline treated fish. As reduced serotonergic signaling typically enhances fear, we discuss the possibility that serotonin may affect how cleaners appraise, acquire information and respond to client-derived stimuli via manipulation of the perception of danger.

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Acknowledgments

We thank the Oceanário de Lisboa staff for logistical support, Mariana Ramos, Andreia Teixeira for assistance during experimental trails. We also thank Sónia Cardoso for designing Fig. 1.

Funding

MSC was supported by Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (PTDC/MAR/105276/2008) and RB by Swiss Science Foundation 31003AB grant. MSC is currently supported by SFRH/BPD/109433/2015.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Universidade do Porto, Vairão, Portugal

    Marta C. Soares

  2. MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Laboratório Marítimo da Guia, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Nossa Senhora do Cabo, 939, 2750–374, Cascais, Portugal

    José R. Paula

  3. Institut de Biologie, Eco-Ethologie, Université de Neuchâtel, Neuchâtel, Switzerland

    Redouan Bshary

Authors
  1. Marta C. Soares
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  2. José R. Paula
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  3. Redouan Bshary
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Marta C. Soares.

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Human and animal rights statement

Animal procedures used in this study have been approved by the Portuguese Veterinary Office (#0420/000/000/2009).

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Soares, M.C., Paula, J.R. & Bshary, R. Serotonin blockade delays learning performance in a cooperative fish. Anim Cogn 19, 1027–1030 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10071-016-0988-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10071-016-0988-z

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