October 10, 2012

Swimming With Hormones: Researchers Unravel Ancient Urges That Drive the Social Decisions of Fish




Researchers have discovered that a form of oxytocin -- the hormone responsible for making humans fall in love -- has a similar effect on fish, suggesting it is a key regulator of social behaviour that has evolved and endured since ancient times.

The findings, published in the latest edition of the journal Animal Behaviour, help answer an important evolutionary question: why do some species develop complex social behaviours while others spend much of their lives alone?


journal reference (abstract free): Animal Behavior >>