Species variation in steroid hormone-related gene expression contributes to species diversity in sexually dimorphic communication in electric fishes.

ABSTRACT: Sexually dimorphic behaviors are often regulated by gonadal steroid hormones. Species diversity in behavioral sex differences may arise as expression of genes mediating steroid action in brain regions controlling these behaviors evolves. The electric communication signals of apteronotid knifefishes are an excellent model for comparatively studying neuroendocrine regulation of sexually dimorphic behavior. These fish produce and detect weak electric organ discharges (EODs) for electrolocation and communication. EOD frequency (EODf), controlled by the medullary pacemaker nucleus (Pn), is sexually dimorphic and regulated by androgens and estrogens in some species, but is sexually monomorphic and unaffected by hormones in other species. We quantified expression of genes for steroid receptors, m

SUBMITTER: Proffitt MR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11330740 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature