Biogenic Amine Levels Correlate with Time of Day, Age, Light Cycle, and Aggressive State in the Flesh Fly, Sarcophaga crassipalpis

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