Degree Name
MS (Master of Science)
Program
Biology
Date of Award
12-2012
Committee Chair or Co-Chairs
Darrell Moore
Committee Members
Karl Joplin, Thomas Jones
Abstract
The biogenic amines serotonin (5HT), dopamine (DA), and octopamine (OA) have been indicated in the regulation of behaviors, including aggression. The flesh fly, Sarcophaga crassipalpis, was used to investigate ontogenetic and circadian changes in amines and aggression. Heads of male flies were analyzed for amine content using high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection (HPLC-ECD) at 3 time points on each of 4 consecutive days in 2 light cycles, 12:12 LD and 15:9 LD. Both DA and OA levels decreased with age. Light-cycle dependent differences were observed for all amines in overall levels and patterns of change throughout the day. A behavioral assay quantified interactive and aggressive behaviors at three time points in the light period for 2 age groups. The daily changes in behavioral profiles differed dependent on age. Correlations from these data can be made between changes in amine levels and time of day, photoperiod, age, and aggressive state.
Document Type
Thesis - unrestricted
Recommended Citation
Fregoso, Veronica L., "Biogenic Amine Levels Correlate with Time of Day, Age, Light Cycle, and Aggressive State in the Flesh Fly, Sarcophaga crassipalpis" (2012). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 1225. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/1225
Copyright
Copyright by the authors.