Extreme Aggression in Male Squid Induced by a β-MSP-like Pheromone

Scott F Cummins; J G Boal; K C Buresch; C Kuanpradit; P Sobhon; J B Holm; B M Degnan; G T Nagle; R T Hanlon

doi:10.1016/j.cub.2011.01.038

Extreme Aggression in Male Squid Induced by a β-MSP-like Pheromone

Scott F Cummins, J G Boal, K C Buresch, C Kuanpradit, P Sobhon, J B Holm, B M Degnan, G T Nagle R T Hanlon

Current Biology - CB, Vol.21(4), pp.322-327

2011

: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2011.01.038

squid egg

male-male aggression

pheromone

Male-male aggression is widespread in the animal kingdom and subserves many functions related to the acquisition or retention of resources such as shelter, food, and mates. These functions have been studied widely in the context of sexual selection, yet the proximate mechanisms that trigger or strengthen aggression are not well known for many taxa. Various external sensory cues (visual, audio, chemical) acting alone or in combination stimulate the complex behavioral interactions of fighting behaviors [1]. Here we report the discovery of a 10 kDa protein, termed Loligo β-microseminoprotein (Loligo β-MSP), that immediately and dramatically changes the behavior of male squid from calm swimming and schooling to extreme fighting, even in the absence of females. Females synthesize Loligo β-MSP in their reproductive exocrine glands and embed the protein in the outer tunic of egg capsules, which are deposited on the open sea floor. Males are attracted to the eggs visually, but upon touching them and contacting Loligo β-MSP, they immediately escalate into intense physical fighting with any nearby males. Loligo β-MSP is a distant member of the chordate β-microseminoprotein family [2] found in mammalian reproductive secretions, suggesting that this gene family may have taxonomically widespread roles in sexual competition.

: Extreme Aggression in Male Squid Induced by a β-MSP-like Pheromone
: Scott F Cummins (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health and Education
J G Boal (Author) - Millersville University, United States
K C Buresch (Author) - Marine Biological Laboratory, United States
C Kuanpradit (Author) - Mahidol University, Thailand
P Sobhon (Author) - Mahidol University, Thailand
J B Holm (Author) - University of Southern California, United States
B M Degnan (Author) - University of Queensland
G T Nagle (Author) - Medical College of Georgia, United States
R T Hanlon (Author) - Marine Biological Laboratory, United States
: Current Biology - CB, Vol.21(4), pp.322-327
: Cell Press
: 2011
: 10.1016/j.cub.2011.01.038
: 0960-9822
: School of Science and Engineering - Legacy; School of Science, Technology and Engineering; Centre for Bioinnovation
: English
: 99450029802621
: Journal article

673

research.portal.fulldisplay.incitesHighlights.intro

esploro.research.conf.research.portal.label.prefix.inciteCollaboration: research.portal.fulldisplay.incitesHighlights.institutionCollaboration; research.portal.fulldisplay.incitesHighlights.internationalCollaboration
esploro.research.conf.research.portal.label.prefix.inciteWOSResearchAreas: Biochemistry & Molecular Biology; Biology; Cell Biology

research.portal.fulldisplay.sdgs.intro

research.portal.fulldisplay.sdgs.source