Modular genetic control of social status in a cichlid fish
Beau A. Alward, Vibhav A. Laud, Christopher J. Skalnik, Ryan A. York, Scott A. Juntti, Russell D. Fernald
Abstract
Significance Social rank along a hierarchy determines physiological state and behavioral performance. A ubiquitous feature of social hierarchies is the communication of rank through nonphysical signaling systems (e.g., coloration) and aggression, traits that correlate with the reproductive status of an individual. Despite the links identified between social status, physiology, and behavior, the molecular basis of social status is not known. Here, we genetically dissect social status in the African cichlid fish Astatotilapia burtoni using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing. We discovered that two paralogous androgen receptor genes control social status in a highly modular manner. This type of coordination of social status may be fundamental across species that rely on social information to optimally guide physiology and behavior.