Sonic and electric fish: at the crossroads of neuroethology and behavioral neuroendocrinology.
Field and laboratory studies of weakly electric and sound-producing teleost fishes demonstrate how steroidal and non-steroidal hormones mediate the translation of neural events into behavior. The development of this research program has depended upon an interdisciplinary neuroethological approach that has characterized the neurophysiological properties of the motor and sensory pathways that lead to the production and detection of easily quantified highly stereotyped behaviors, namely, electric organ discharges (EODs) and vocalizations. Neuroethological studies of these teleosts have now integrated a behavioral neuroendocrinology approach that has provided several examples of how hormone-sensitive neurobiological traits contribute to adaptive behavioral plasticity in natural habitats. As such, these studies provide guideposts for comparable studies in other groups of teleosts and vertebrates in general.
Bass
Andrew H
AH
Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Seeley G. Mudd Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA. ahb3@cornell.edu
Zakon
Harold H
HH
D000728:Androgens / Q000502:physiology; D000819:Animal Communication; D000818:Animals; D001307:Auditory Perception / Q000502:physiology; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D004555:Electric Fish / Q000502:physiology; D004557:Electric Organ / Q000502:physiology; D004967:Estrogens / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005399:Fishes / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D009490:Neurosecretory Systems / Q000502:physiology*; D012737:Sex Factors; D014828:Vocalization, Animal / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects*
D000728:Androgens; D004967:Estrogens