image: Utah State University neuroscientist Sara Freeman conducts systematic investigations of coyote pair-bonding behavior and the neurochemical systems of the coyote brain.
Credit: Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
LOGAN, UTAH, USA -- Why do we fall in love? Why are parents so fiercely protective of their offspring? Like humans, do some animals grieve for lost mates?
Oxytocin and vasopressin hormonal systems of the brain — responsible for the so-called “tend-and-defend” mechanisms key to romantic and parental love, are neural drivers for the formation of strong, selective social bonds characteristic of pair-bonded adult mammal mates, including humans.
“These evolutionarily ancient hormones are synthesized by the brain and have become primary targets for the study of neural mechanisms of social bonding,” says Utah State University neuroendocrinologist Sara Freeman.
Freeman is among the first researchers in the world to conduct systematic investigations of coyote pair-bonding behavior and the neurochemical systems of the coyote brain. The assistant professor in USU’s Department of Biology recently secured a competitive $1.41 million National Science Foundation Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) grant, one of USU’s largest CAREER awards, to continue the research.
“Monogamy is relatively rare in mammals, and many are surprised to learn coyotes are a monogamous species, as are all wild canid species studied to date,” Freeman says.
While colloquial definitions of monogamy in the human vernacular are based on sexual fidelity, she says, monogamy in biological contexts is a more nuanced concept.
“When studying mammalian monogamies, we’re usually referring to social monogamy, in which two unrelated, opposite sex adult members of the same species defend a shared territory, share resources, spend time in close proximity, show distress upon separation, share parenting duties and primarily, but not exclusively, mate with each other,” Freeman says.
She says biologists who have studied coyotes report the animals exhibit what is called genetic monogamy, where they mate exclusively, for life, and only seek a new partner if a mate dies.
“Genetic monogamy is exceedingly rare in the animal kingdom, especially in mammals,” Freeman says. “Coyotes provide the unique opportunity to investigate this rare and strict form of long-lasting social attachment.”
She says the CAREER grant is a key boost to the continuation of the research.
“The NSF funding affords my students, colleagues and I to assess the connectedness between behavior, brains and hormones to establish a foundation for the neurobiological basis for pair bonding in a canid,” Freeman says. “This work is situated squarely in the field of behavioral neuroendocrinology, which is known for tackling complex, interconnected biological mechanisms.”
She says the proximity of the USDA National Wildlife Research Center Predator Research Field Station, eight miles south of USU’s Logan campus, is also a critical component of the research.
“We have a unique, interdisciplinary collaboration of research specializations, combining neuroscience, endocrinology, wildlife biology, predator management, carnivore ecology and more among our investigators,” she says. “This creates outstanding educational opportunities for our undergraduate and graduate students, along with a conduit to engage with federal researchers, local officials, as well as ranchers, farmers and other land managers.”
Freeman says the project and its NSF funding will enable her to continue offering research opportunities beyond the Logan campus, with continued participation in such programs as USU’s Native American Summer Mentorship Program.
“Through this program, we’ve invited students from USU Blanding and other remote campuses to get involved in our lab and in the field, where they can experience hands-on research and learn about opportunities for graduate study. It’s an exciting and effective way to encourage scholars to pursue careers and further study in the life sciences, health care fields, engineering and conservation management.”
According to the NSF website, the CAREER Award is “the most prestigious award in support of early-career faculty who have the potential to serve as academic role models in research and education, and to lead advances in the mission of their department or organization. Activities pursued (by awardees) building a firm foundation for a lifetime of leadership in integrating education and research.”
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