Evidence for the involvement of selected biogenic amines (serotonin and melatonin) in the regulation of molting of the edible crab, Oziotelphusa senex senex Fabricius

• Published in: Aquaculture 2010-04, Vol.302 (3), p.261-264
• Main Authors: Sainath, S.B., Reddy, P. Sreenivasula
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Ammonia; Animal aquaculture; Animal productions; Aquaculture; biogenic amines; Biological and medical sciences; Crab; crabs; Crustacea; Crustaceans; Decapoda; Experiments; Eyestalk ablation; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General aspects; Invertebrates; Mandibular organs; Melatonin; Molting; Neurotransmitters; Oziotelphusa senex senex; Serotonin; Y-organs
• ISSN: 0044-8486; 1873-5622
• DOI: 10.1016/j.aquaculture.2010.02.025

In the present study, we examined the role of serotonin and melatonin on molting of the fresh water edible crab, Oziotelphusa senex senex. Administration of melatonin (10 − 7 mol/crab) into intact crabs induced precocious molting in a 28-day experimental period. Injection of serotonin (10 − 6 mol/crab) into intact crabs did not result in any change in molting. Significant increase in the weights of the mandibular organs (28.81%) and the Y-organs (42.57%) was observed in melatonin injected intact crabs when compared with control crabs. Bilateral eyestalk ablation (ESX) significantly increased the weights of mandibular organs (32.71%) and Y-organs (48.21%) when compared with intact crabs over a period of 28-days. However, injection of serotonin or melatonin into ESX crabs did not show much variation in the weights of the mandibular organs and the Y-organs when compared with ESX crabs without biogenic amines injections. These results provide the first evidence that melatonin is involved in the control of regulation of growth in a crustacean.