Dr. Nicholas Santangelo

My research integrates the proximate mechanisms that modulate an organism's behavior and the significance of the behaviors of these behaviors to the species in question. I focus on the behavioral and neuroendocrine mechanisms which mediate how organisms interact with their environment. With a focus on fish, I explore a diverse suite of behaviors, including mate choice, courtship, territoriality, aggression, and parental care.

A beaugregory, Stegastes leucostictus, male protecting his nest containing eggs.

An essential component to my laboratory research is field work because it garners understanding of the natural history and environment in which these behavioral and physiological mechanisms evolved. I use a comparative approach, studying related species with different life history strategies to provide more insight into the selective pressures under which these strategies evolved.

The two main systems I am currently working on are convict cichlids, a monogamous bi-parental freshwater fish, and beaugregory damselfish, a polygynous territorial coral reef fish. A main focus using these systems is the neuropeptide arginine vasotocin (AVT); it and its mammalian homologue arginine vasopressin (AVP) have been shown to regulate multiple mating behaviors (such as courtship, monogamy and parental care) and aggressive behaviors.

My hope is that this research will lend insight into how this neuropeptide has evolved through different species and different mating systems to modulate social behavior. My goal is to branch out to other cichlid and damselfish systems as well as other regulatory hormones.

Convict cichlid, Archocnetrus nigrofasciatus, parents caring for their fry (young).