Learning and memory associated with aggression in Drosophila melanogaster.

ABSTRACT: Male Drosophila melanogaster (Canton-S strain) exhibit aggression in competition for resources, to defend territory, and for access to mates. In the study reported here, we asked: (i) how long flies fight; (ii) whether flies adopt distinct winning and losing strategies as hierarchical relationships are established; (iii) whether flies exhibit experience-dependent changes in fighting strategies in later fights; and (iv) whether flies fight differently in second fights against familiar or unfamiliar opponents. The results showed that flies fought for up to 5 h. As hierarchical relationships were established, behavioral strategies changed: winners progressively lunged more and retreated less, whereas losers progressively lunged less and retreated more. Encounters between flies were frequent d

SUBMITTER: Yurkovic A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1634832 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature