Dr. Reuven Dukas

• In-person event
• 4440Q, Carleton Technology and Training Centre, Carleton University
• 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON, K1S 5B6

• Contact
• Tom Sherratt, Jean-Guy Godin, tom.sherratt@carleton.ca, jeanguy.godin@carleton.ca

Social behaviour and social learning in fruit flies: mechanisms and functions

Dr. Reuven Dukas, McMaster University

Faculty Host: Tom Sherratt and Jean-Guy Godin

Decision Making • Animal Cognition • Ecology • Evolution • Behaviour

There has recently been increased interest in establishing simple, tractable model systems for research on the evolution of and neurogenetic mechanisms underlying social behaviour. To this end, we have established novel protocols for examining ultimate and proximate mechanisms underlying social information use in fruit flies, a highly tractable model system for which superb neurogenetic tools are available. My talk will focus on the dynamics of social behaviour in fruit fly larvae during their development from hatching to pupation and the cues that attract larvae to each other. I will also talk about social learning in larvae and adults and discuss the ecological factors that effect social information use in fruit flies.