掠食性攻击是通过适应去肾上腺素能回路进化而来的，这一成果由马克斯·普朗克行为神经生物学研究所James W. Lightfoot小组经过不懈努力而取得。相关论文于2026年1月21日发表在《自然》杂志上。

研究人员发现了与无脊椎动物攻击性进化有关的特殊适应。利用掠食性线虫Pristionchus pacificus，研究小组从行为跟踪数据中开发了一个机器学习模型，并确定了与攻击事件相关的机器人行为状态。引人注目的是，掠食性攻击与线虫进化过程中关键电路的重新布线是一致的。研究小组发现了去甲肾上腺素能通路的改变，章鱼胺促进侵略性的掠食性发作，而酪胺则拮抗性地诱导被动状态。调节通过章鱼胺受体Ppa-ser-3和Ppa-ser-6以及酪胺受体Ppa-lgc-55发生。这些定位于感觉神经元，其抑制减少了攻击性事件。至关重要的是，这种章鱼胺能的创新出现在这个掠食性谱系中，与古老的功能分化一致。因此，去肾上腺素能回路的进化适应促进了与复杂掠食性特征相关的攻击行为状态的出现。

据介绍，行为是通过自然选择进化而来的适应性特征。至关重要的是，人们对塑造行为创新的基因、分子和神经修饰知之甚少。

附：英文原文

Title: Predatory aggression evolved through adaptations to noradrenergic circuits

Author: Eren, Gniz Gze, Bger, Leonard, Roca, Marianne, Hiramatsu, Fumie, Liu, Jun, Alvarez, Luis, Goetting, Desiree L., Cockram, Lewis A., Zorn, Nurit, Han, Ziduan, Okumura, Misako, Scholz, Monika, Lightfoot, James W.

Issue&Volume: 2026-01-21

Abstract: Behaviours are adaptive traits evolving through natural selection. Crucially, the genetic, molecular and neural modifications that shape behavioural innovations are poorly understood1. Here, we identify specialized adaptations linked to the evolution of invertebrate aggression2. Using the predatory nematode Pristionchus pacificus, we developed a machine learning model from behavioural tracking data and identified robust behavioural states associated with aggressive episodes. Strikingly, predatory aggression coincides with a rewiring of key circuits across nematode evolution. We find modifications to the noradrenergic pathway, with octopamine promoting aggressive predatory bouts whereas tyramine antagonistically induces passive states. Modulation occurs through the octopamine receptors Ppa-ser-3 and Ppa-ser-6, and tyramine receptor Ppa-lgc-55. These localize to sensory neurons whose inhibition diminishes aggressive events. Crucially, this octopaminergic innovation emerged within this predatory lineage, consistent with an ancient divergence in function. Thus, evolutionary adaptations in noradrenergic circuits facilitated the emergence of aggressive behavioural states associated with complex predatory traits.

DOI: 10.1038/s41586-025-10009-x

Source: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-10009-x