Role of surface glycoproteins in mate-guarding of the marine harpacticoid Tigriopus japonicus |
| |
Authors: | L S Kelly T W Snell |
| |
Institution: | (1) School of Biology, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332-0230, USA, GE |
| |
Abstract: | Surface glycoproteins serve as mate- and gamete-recognition molecules in some marine animals such as rotifers and sea urchins.
We investigated the role of contact chemoreception of surface glycoproteins in mate recognition, mate-guarding, and spermatophore
transfer in the marine harpacticoid Tigriopus japonicus Mori. Adult males accurately distinguished immature females from a pool of mixed-sex juveniles, and their behavior towards
both live and dead females is described. A survey of the binding sites of twelve lectins to the surface of juvenile and adult
females, and adult males demonstrated localized lectin-binding at sites considered important in mating behavior of each sex/age
class. Treating adult males with the Triticum vulgaris lectin sharply inhibited normal mate recognition and guarding behavior, as did the monosaccharide glucosamine. Treatment
of males with protease and detergents destroyed their mate-guarding behavior without affecting swimming behavior. These results
suggest that protein receptors on the antennules of the males detect glycoprotein signals on the surface of females, recognizing
carbohydrate moieties of glycoproteins to identify appropriate partners for guarding or mating. Surface glycoproteins may
function as a common mechanism of sexual communication in many marine zooplankters.
Received: 6 May 1997 / Accepted: 14 September 1997 |
| |
Keywords: | |
本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录! |
|