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First published online March 8, 2005
Journal of Experimental Biology 208, 891-898 (2005)
Published by The Company of Biologists 2005
doi: 10.1242/jeb.01454

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Social experience and pheromonal perception can change male–male interactions in Drosophila melanogaster

Nicolas Svetec and Jean-François Ferveur^*

Unité de Recherche 5548 Associée au Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Faculté des Sciences, Université de Bourgogne, 6, Bd Gabriel, 21 000 Dijon, France

^* Author for correspondence (e-mail: jean-francois.ferveur{at}u-bourgogne.fr)

Accepted 16 December 2004

Social interaction with conspecifics can influence the developing brain and behaviour of the exposed animal. This experience can involve the exchange and retention of visual, chemical, acoustic and tactile signals. When several Drosophila melanogaster male flies are associated with mated females in the presence of food, they show frequent aggressive interactions. To measure the role of social experience on male–male interaction, two tester males – naïve or exposed to sibling(s) during a variable period of their adult development – were confronted in the absence of female and food. The two males displayed homosexual courtship and aggressive behaviours, the frequency, intensity and directionality of which varied according to their experience. The effect of social experience was greatly enhanced between transgenic males partially defective for pheromonal perception, indicating that male inhibitory pheromones are normally used to repress male–male interaction.

Key words: social experience, homosexual courtship, aggressive behaviour, pheromonal perception, Drosophila melanogaster

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