Induction of pairing in male scale worm Harmothoe imbricata (Polychaeta: Polynoidae) by chemical signals

A behavioural assay based on a ‘homosexual’ response in males has revealed that female Harmothoe imbricata release a substance that induces pair formation. Extracts from unfertilized spawned oocytes (diameter approximately 120 μm), but not sub-mature oocytes (90 μm diameter) removed directly from th...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 2007-10, Vol.87 (5), p.1115-1116
Main Authors: Gaudron, S.M., Watson, G.J., Bentley, M.G.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal and plant ecology
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Annelida and closely related phyla: sipuncula. Echiura. Nemertinea
Bioassays
Biological and medical sciences
Females
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Invertebrates
Males
Pheromones
Sea water ecosystems
Synecology
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Summary:A behavioural assay based on a ‘homosexual’ response in males has revealed that female Harmothoe imbricata release a substance that induces pair formation. Extracts from unfertilized spawned oocytes (diameter approximately 120 μm), but not sub-mature oocytes (90 μm diameter) removed directly from the coelomic cavity, have significant pair formation-inducing activity in comparison to the control. Preliminary results indicate that the substance is stable under standard purification techniques and larger than 10 kDa, as well as being heat and trypsin insensitive.
ISSN:0025-3154
1469-7769
DOI:10.1017/S0025315407055816