Glutamatergic projections from the substantia nigra pars reticulata to the dorsal raphe nucleus regulate male social hierarchies

Social hierarchy constitutes a fundamental organizational characteristic among various social species, significantly influencing individual survival, health, and reproductive success within these societies. Neurons in the substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr) exhibit extensive connectivity with the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN), a critical structure implicated in social interaction, reward processing, and the establishment of social rank. However, the specific neuronal types within the SNr, as well as the associated neural circuits that regulate social dominance, remain inadequately characterized. This study aims to elucidate the crucial role of SNrGlu neurons in the establishment and maintenance of social hierarchy in male mice. Employing fiber photometry, we observed that the activation of SNrGlu neurons increased during the initiation of effortful behaviors in the tube test. Further investigations revealed that optogenetic activation or chemogenetic inhibition of the glutamatergic neur..., , ## Glutamatergic projections from the substantia nigra pars reticulata to the dorsal raphe nucleus regulate male social hierarchies

Dataset DOI: [10.5061/dryad.m0cfxppg3](10.5061/dryad.m0cfxppg3)

## Description of the data and file structure

We have submitted our raw data, which consists of 55 files. The dataset includes behavioral parameters from the tube test, rank changes observed in the tube test, outcomes from the warm spot test, results from the open field test, forelimb grip strength measurements, data from the elevated plus maze test, results from the resident-intruder test, results from the social memory test, behavioral parameters from the push ball test, behavioral parameters from the social interaction test, Ca²⁺ activity of SNrGlu neurons during push-initiation and push-back in the tube test for both ChR2-EYFP mice and EYFP mice, Ca²⁺ Activity of SNrGlu neurons in the push ball test, Ca²⁺ Activity of SNrGlu neurons in the social interaction test.

### Files and variables..., , **Changes after Jun 12, 2025:** In response to the suggestions provided by the reviewers and the editor, we have made several revisions to the data. Specifically, we have introduced new behavioral controls, including the push ball test and the social interaction test, and have addressed the statistical concerns that were raised. We have included data on behavioral parameters obtained from the push ball test and the social interaction test, as well as the Ca²⁺ activity of SNrGlu neurons during both push-initiation and push-back phases in the tube test for ChR2-EYFP and EYFP mice. Additionally, we present the Ca²⁺ activity of SNrGlu neurons in both the push ball test and the social interaction test.

**Changes after Dec 5, 2025:** In response to the suggestions provided by the editor, we have changed the filenames of the fifty-five data files to clearly indicate their association with specific figure panels.