Induction of pairing in male scale worm Harmothoe imbricata (Polychaeta: Polynoidae) by chemical signals
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 18 October 2007
Abstract
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.
- Type
- Brief Report
- Information
- Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom , Volume 87 , Issue 5 , October 2007 , pp. 1115 - 1116
- Copyright
- 2007 Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom
- 6
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