Sagi A, Ahl J S, Danaee H, Laufer H
Department of Life Sciences, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.
Horm Behav. 1994 Sep;28(3):261-72. doi: 10.1006/hbeh.1994.1022.
The concentration of methyl farnesoate (MF) in the hemolymph and its synthesis by the mandibular organs (MOs) were investigated to determine whether this compound is related to the differences in the size of the reproductive system and the mating behavior among male morphotypes of the spider crab, Libinia emarginata. Large-claw abraded males displayed mating behavior under competitive conditions. They have the largest reproductive systems, their MOs synthesize large amounts of MF in vitro, and the concentration of MF in their hemolymph is high. Small-claw abraded males displayed mating behavior with receptive females only when isolated. These smaller crabs have intermediate-sized reproductive systems, their MOs synthesize the most MF, and they have the highest circulating level of MF relative to their body size. The unabraded males did not display mating behavior; their reproductive systems are smaller; their MO activity is low, as is their circulating level of MF. The strong relationship between MF levels and the intensity of reproductive behavior suggests that MF may be one of the driving forces behind mating behavior in Crustacea.
为了确定法尼酸甲酯（MF）是否与蜘蛛蟹（Libinia emarginata）雄性形态类型之间生殖系统大小差异及交配行为有关，研究人员对其血淋巴中MF的浓度及其在下颚器官（MOs）中的合成情况进行了调查。大螯被磨损的雄性蜘蛛蟹在竞争条件下会表现出交配行为。它们拥有最大的生殖系统，其MOs在体外能合成大量MF，并且它们血淋巴中MF的浓度很高。小螯被磨损的雄性蜘蛛蟹只有在隔离状态下才会与处于接受状态的雌性交配。这些较小的螃蟹拥有中等大小的生殖系统，它们的MOs合成的MF最多，并且相对于其体型而言，它们的MF循环水平最高。未被磨损的雄性蜘蛛蟹不表现出交配行为；它们的生殖系统较小；它们的MO活性较低，其MF循环水平也较低。MF水平与生殖行为强度之间的密切关系表明，MF可能是甲壳类动物交配行为背后的驱动力之一。
