The Effect of Visual Queues on Social Status Formation and Mauthner Sensitivity in Zebrafish

Abstract

Zebrafish of the TLN strain, a genetic variant of the Tüpfel Long-fin (TL) wild-type zebrafish that does not display the trademark striped scale pattern of wild-type zebrafish, but are instead pale, were tested through a series of behavioral observations to determine the role of visual queues in dominant/subordinate relationships. TLN zebrafish did not show significant differences in swimming behavior, escape response, or escape response latency, suggesting that it is possible that visual queues play a role in the formation of dominant/subordinate relationships, and in turn would affect the neurological sensitivity of the escape pathway when exposed to a threatening auditory stimulus.