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Escape responses in schooling fish have been researched at length, though little is known regarding how responses may differ as schooling fish grow. To investigate this, we elicited escape responses in a subset of individuals from schools (consisting of 20 individuals) of different size ranges of shiner perch (Cymatogaster aggregata), by triggering a visual stimulus when 3-6 individuals were positioned l within view of the stimulus, with their resulting reaction to a threat ensuing further responses across the rest of school which could not see the stimulus because of an opaque barrier that was suspended above the water level. We analysed individual turning rates, latencies, and the propagation of the reaction among individuals. Our experiments revealed distinct patterns in response behaviour: as expected, turning rate decreased with fish size. Conversely, these smaller individuals exhibited longer latencies in initiating the escape response, suggesting a trade-off between speed of turning and reaction time across sizes. Furthermore, size was found to significantly affect the spread of information among individuals that detected the escape-triggering stimulus, with larger individuals facilitating faster propagation of the response throughout the school. These findings highlight the complex interplay between individual size and collective behaviour in fish schools, suggesting that size not only influences individual escape performance but also the efficiency of information transfer within groups. Our results contribute to a deeper understanding of the mechanisms underpinning escape responses in gregarious fishes, with implications for the study of predator-prey interactions and the evolutionary dynamics of schooling behaviour.

SEB Conference Prague 2024

The effect of fish size on the escape responses of schooling shiner perch Cymatogaster aggregata

schooling behaviour

escape response

size

technical paper

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Adequate oxygen delivery to tissue is important for maintaining cellular homeostasis. Thus, an animal’s ability to detect low oxygen is crucial for survival. In fish, oxygen sensing occurs in the gills via chemoreceptive neuroepithelial cells (NECs). Despite the many similarities between NECs and mammalian chemoreceptors, the receptors and neurochemistry involved in gill hypoxia signalling have not been well defined. The goals of the present study were to delineate a mechanism by which presynaptic dopamine D2 receptors modulate the chemoreceptor response to hypoxia, and to begin exploring receptors involved in the excitatory transmission of hypoxia within the zebrafish gill. Using an isolated gill preparation from Tg(elavl3:GCaMP6s) zebrafish, we found NECs respond to hypoxia by an increase in [Ca2+]i and activation of presynaptic dopamine D2 receptors with the selective agonist, quinpirole, decreased the calcium response to hypoxia. Presynaptic modulation via D2 receptors led to a decrease in the activity of postsynaptic neurons that innervated NECs during hypoxia. Further evaluating the postsynaptic responses to hypoxia, we demonstrated activation of these neurons with acetylcholine, and the neuronal response to hypoxia was reduced by addition of hexamethonium, a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist. Our results provide the first direct evidence of neuromodulation of the hypoxic signal produced by NECs in the gill by dopamine, suggesting that a modulatory role for dopamine in oxygen sensing arose early in vertebrate evolution. Further, we suggest a role for acetylcholine in the transmission of the hypoxic response, further highlighting the similarity between NECs and mammalian chemoreceptors.

Chemoreceptor inhibition by dopamine D2 receptors and post synaptic responses to ACh in isolated zebrafish gills.

How would you describe the shape of the isometric force-length-activity relation (FLAR) of striated muscle sarcomeres to your students? Simple textbook knowledge, right? At very long lengths, the sarcomere (and thus the whole fiber) is unable to exert any active force even when fully activated. When the sarcomere is gradually held at shorter lengths, the force increases somewhat linearly.
For a certain 'optimal' length -- or 'plateau' region -- the force output reaches its maximum, before it decreases again for even shorter lengths.

When it comes to explaining this shape, the long-length characteristic (the descending branch) is commonly associated with the relative overlap between thin and thick filaments. However, explanations for the force decrease at shorter lengths (the ascending branch) are rather vague. In the literature, there exist several attempts of explaining a piece-wise linear ascending branch by assuming
(i) repelling forces between opposing thin filaments, (ii) thick filament compression at the Z-disk, or (iii) steric hindrance of cross-bridge building. This talk addresses these hypotheses by revealing sources, misconceptions, and counterevidence.
Further, a biophysical model is presented, exploiting know mechanisms such as the volume constancy of the filament lattice, electrostatics-induced cross-bridge building, and Hill's equation of ligand-receptor complexes. A combination of these mechanisms fully explains the experimentally observed FLAR and even pertains to submaximally Calcium-activated fibers -- a realm where conventional approaches struggle.

Biophysical mechanisms underlying the force-length-activity relation of the sarcomere


In recent years, research on spider silk has surged, focusing on its mechanical, medicinal, and commercial applications. Despite this, our understanding of the behavioral utilization of distinct silk types and their functions remains limited. Moreover, there is a notable gap in methodologies to comprehend the use of spider silk glands. This study focuses on Pholcus phalangioides, commonly known as Daddy long-legs spiders, known to build three dimensional irregular webs with unique behaviours. These include using sticky prey wraps to capture airborne prey, and viscous-sticky traps to ensnare ground-dwelling prey and dragline and bridging lines for locomotion. We employed multiple methodologies on live individuals as well as silk fibres collected for in-depth understanding of silk glands uses for these behaviours. Methods included spigot morphology analysis, gland dissections for morphology, light microscopy for identifying silk fibre types, high-speed video recording for behavioral study, shock freezing to observe spider behavior under Scanning Electron Microscopy and mechanical tests for single fibres to understand their role in ecological uses. Results suggest that a multi-methodology approach offers a comprehensive understanding of silk gland behavioral use. This study provides a unique perspective beyond the prevalent focus on orb weavers, offering insights into lesser-known species. The study highlights the limitations of single techniques, emphasizing the need for a diverse methodology. Additionally, it presents a protocol applicable to studying any spider's behavioral use of silk glands.


A multimethod approach to study the behavioral utilization of spider silk glands.

Songbirds use acoustic signals (songs) to defend territories and attract mates. Proximate and ultimate causes of variations in song structure have been extensively studied, but vocal amplitude is often overlooked and rarely measured. This lack of data is unfortunate because signal amplitude is crucial in communication. In bird song, it plays an important role not only for signal transmission, but also in territorial behaviours and mate choice. However, since a long time it has been assumed that differences in song amplitude between species are mainly due to variation in body size, with bigger species producing louder songs. We present comparative data from twelve common European songbird species that challenge this view. We found marked variation in song amplitude but this variation was not related to body size. Instead, song amplitude varied with small-scale social and environmental conditions (such as time of day or the presence of competitors). If body size affects amplitude at all, then the effect is so small that it is buried by variation due to these or other factors. Generally, our data highlight the importance of individual plasticity in song performance, and hint at a complex interplay between the constraints and functions of bird song.

What it takes to be heard: morphological and ecological correlates of bird song amplitude

Virtually all animal species live in fluctuating environments. Although physiological and behavioral responses to changes in environmental conditions influence fitness outcomes, individuals from a population do not always respond similarly. To understand how individuals cope with changing environments, and whether their responses can allow populations to evolutionary adapt to global change, we need to quantify among- and within-individual sources of phenotypic variation. Using hand-raised great tits (Parus major) kept in outdoor aviaries, we measured individual responses in circulating corticosterone and hemoglobin concentrations, metabolic rate, and breath rate to a simulated cold spell, and in vertical flight performance to simulated molt. We assessed reaction norms repeatedly, in winter and spring of their first year of life and again at these same times in their second year of life. We focused primarily on trait plasticity, quantified as the reaction norm slope, and tested for its variation at the population-level, among-individual level and within-individual level, between seasons and years. We found that individuals differed in their degree of plasticity in corticosterone, breath rate and flight performance. Furthermore, individuals showed ‘’plasticity of plasticity’’ in most traits across seasons and years. Finally, plasticity was moderately to highly repeatable in all traits investigated. These findings suggest that: a) individuals can tailor their plastic responses to the ecological context; b) there is significant standing phenotypic variation in plasticity that could buffer the population from environmental variation; c) plasticity may be genetically determined and if targeted by selection, could enable evolutionary adaptation to global change.

Physiological and performance reaction norms to ecologically relevant challenges: Within-individual plasticity is consistent and plastic at the same time.

Most species experience some amount of temperature variation at daily and seasonal timescales. Variations in temperature are expected to shape key biological traits of ectotherms, but also the breadth of phenotypes expressed within a population. Here, we combine meta-analytical and experimental data to uncover how daily temperature variation impacts phenotypic means and variation of ectothermic animals. We hypothesised that variation around warm temperatures would decrease growth, locomotion and reproductive success but increase phenotypic variation in these traits. We tested this hypothesis by first assembling the most comprehensive database to date, spanning 165 ectothermic species, and performing meta-analyses. Second, using black bream (Acanthopagrus butcheri) as an experimental model, we assessed the upper thermal limits of fish following acclimation to constant or variable daily temperatures, and compared these data to the thermal limits of field-acclimated fish. Our meta-analysis revealed that daily temperature variation increases upper thermal limits across ectotherms, but reproductive traits were compromised. Surprisingly, phenotypic variation did not increase in response to daily temperature variations. Experimental data showed that upper thermal limits of field-acclimated fish does not mirror that of fish acclimated to a constant temperature under lab conditions. Taken together, these findings demonstrate the importance of considering how daily temperature variation impacts key biological traits. Experiments that expose ectotherms to constant temperatures can over-simplify physiological responses to temperature variation that could misguide conservation and management actions.

Temperature variation can be a blessing and a curse for ectothermic animals

Ectotherms can regulate their body temperature by moving between cooler and warmer environments. The choice of a thermal environment can be driven by different parameters, including an individual’s health status. For instance, disease and parasite infection can cause some species of fish to increase their body temperature by spending more time in warmer waters, presumably to maximise their immune defences and, thus, the chance to fight off the infection, a phenomenon known as behavioural fever. Most studies on fish thermoregulation do not consider how the immune response to disease and/or parasite infection can shape a fish’s thermal choice. Yet, the severity of the parasite infection (load), the presence of multiple parasite species (co-infection) and the timing of the infection (acute vs. chronic) can change temperature preference. Here, we measured the preferred temperature of wild-caught pumpkinseed sunfish using a shuttle-box system. Fish were separated into three groups: 1) chronically co-infected by parasite, 2) acutely exposed to parasite, and 3) immune-stimulated via injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) endotoxin. We observed that the fish’s preferred temperature did not vary with parasite infection,co-infection and immune-stimulation. This suggests that fish did not display behavioural fever. This combination of groups with different infection status allowed us to tease apart the role of the immune system in thermal choice and deepen our understanding of animal movement. Ultimately, this helps our comprehension of how ectotherms fight disease in nature.

Temperature preference in immune-stimulated and parasite-infected sunfish

In our final year Immunology and Virology module at NTU, we use an employer informed research question as the topic. Six BSc (Honours) Biomedical Science students work together as a team to create a poster on this broad virology based question: they are required to decide as a team which content is delivered in a twelve minute presentation on this topic, relate this to an industry application /enterprise (either already established or a business idea), identify a career opportunity in that field and relate this/these jobs to their skill set, reflecting on how the course has prepared them for this role and career trajectory. Students are required to identify each team member’s contributions, reflect on their progress and approach regarding teamwork, time management, communication, etc. and identify strengths and weaknesses. 

To ensure fairness and equal contributions, students are required to detail each member's efforts, have the opportunity to flag any professional behaviour issues encountered. In this safe HE setting, the module leader provides constructive advice and if needed intervention. 

We iclude stdeunt feedback who have taken this assessment confirming that the positive impact of this activity on their employment.

Working as a team on an employer informed research question in final year BSc (H) Biomedical Science 

In the recently introduced integrated foundation year for Nottingham Trent University’s undergraduate bioscience courses, students study a range of practical and transferrable skills which are assessed through a professional practice and skills module. The team lab research project is designed to foster the development of a range of professional and work-relevant skills such as problem-solving, use of professional communication platforms for team communication and document sharing, as well as awareness of health and safety and time management. Module assessment focusses on a team presentations of the project and evidence of laboratory and transferrable skills through a skills portfolio.
The project, designed to introduce the students to the scientific method for investigating research questions in the laboratory, was contextualised to a real-world scenario through collaboration with an external industrial partner. In this case, the project was designed for students to design and deliver a lab-based project to explore bacterial resistance to antibiotics and the claims of natural products to have anti-microbial properties. The external partner, a biomedical scientist within the UK National Health Service specialising in microbiology, set the context of the project through reference to the importance of identification of antibiotic resistance within the NHS. Not only this but they were able to give students one-to-one guidance in the laboratory to support the development of their practical skills, and feedback on their team presentation of the project.
Students will reflect on their experience of the benefits and challenges of working on the team project as part of the presentation. 


Developing professional skills and attributes in foundation biology students

Mechanisms of habituation for exogenous auxin-independent proliferation of tobacco cells

Pavel Jelíneka, Karel Müllerb, Petre I. Dobrevb, Roberta Vaculíkováb, Zuzana Vondrákováb, Barbora Svobodováb, Julie Talpováb, Anita Bírošíkováb, Vojtěch Čermáka, Adéla Přibylováa, Eliška Kobercováa, Lukáš Fischera, Jan Petrášeka

a Department of Experimental Plant Biology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Viničná 5, 128 44 Prague 2, Czech Republic
b Institute of Experimental Botany, the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Rozvojová 263,165 02 Prague 6, Czech Republic 

Auxins are essential phytohormones that are involved in the regulation of the plant cell cycle. In vitro cultured plant cells require exogenous auxin for proliferation. However, they may acquire the ability to survive and proliferate in auxin-deprived media through the phenomenon of habituation. In this study, we sought to understand the mechanisms behind the auxin habituation of two tobacco cell lines. We compared two pairs of lines derived from two tobacco cultivars; BY-2 x BY-2H and VBI-0 x VBI-2b. In each pair, we had one line dependent on exogenous auxin (BY-2, VBI-0) and one habituated (BY-2H, VBI-2b). To describe the changes between auxin-dependent and habituated lines, we used a set of approaches such as transcriptome analysis (RNAseq), genomic sequence analysis, and phytohormonome analysis. By combining these approaches, we were able to show that the proliferation of both habituated lines is still dependent on endogenously synthesised auxin. However, each culture possesses different mechanisms. The BY-2H line contains an increased number of copies of the auxin receptor TIR1 in its genome resulting in 200-fold higher expression. We were able to localise the copies of TIR1 on different chromosomes. We were also able to detect higher levels of endogenous IAA in BY-2H compared to the BY-2 line. On the other hand, VBI-2b habituation hypothetically depends on a decreased expression of EMF2, a component of the PRC2 complex, which probably leads to an increased expression of a set of MADS-box transcription factors. Our focus now is to provide functional evidence for both hypotheses.

Supported by CSF grant n. 23-07813S and GAUK n. 414022


The effect of fish size on the escape responses of schooling shiner perch Cymatogaster aggregata

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Chemoreceptor inhibition by dopamine D2 receptors and post synaptic responses to ACh in isolated zebrafish gills.

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The effect of fish size on the escape responses of schooling shiner perch Cymatogaster aggregata

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Next from SEB Conference Prague 2024

Chemoreceptor inhibition by dopamine D2 receptors and post synaptic responses to ACh in isolated zebrafish gills.

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