Multiple cues for induction of metamorphosis in larvae of the common mud crab Panopeus herbstii

Abstract

MEPS Marine Ecology Progress Series Contact the journal Facebook Twitter RSS Mailing List Subscribe to our mailing list via Mailchimp HomeLatest VolumeAbout the JournalEditorsTheme Sections MEPS 195:221-229 (2000) - doi:10.3354/meps195221 Multiple cues for induction of metamorphosis in larvae of the common mud crab Panopeus herbstii Raymond A. Rodriguez, Charles E. Epifanio* University of Delaware, College of Marine Studies, Hugh R. Sharp Campus, 700 Pilottown Rd., Lewes, Delaware 19958, USA *Corresponding author. E-mail: epi@udel.edu ABSTRACT: Cues associated with biofilms from the adult habitat previously have been found to accelerate metamorphosis in the megalopae of the common mud crab Panopeus herbstii (Milne-Edwards). In this study, we investigated several properties of this biofilm and further investigated the response of megalopae to exudates from adult P. herbstii. Results showed the cue to be water-soluble and suggest that it is associated with the bacterial component of the film. Biofilms from a rocky intertidal area produced a response, while films from an intertidal sand flat did not. When biofilm was allowed to form on clean glass slides in adult habitat, megalopae showed a stronger response to 10-d-old biofilms than to 2-d-old biofilms. Exudates from adult P. herbstii produced a strong response while exudates from prey species Crassostrea virginica and a closely related mud crab Dyspanopeus sayi produced a weaker, but significant response. Exudates from fiddler crabs Uca pugnax did not elicit a response. Results from these experiments suggest that there are multiple water-soluble cues that induce metamorphosis of mud crab megalopae. KEY WORDS: Mud crab · Megalopae · Metamorphosis · Biofilm · Exudate Full text in pdf format PreviousNextExport citation RSS - Facebook - Tweet - linkedIn Cited by Published in MEPS Vol. 195. Publication date: March 31, 2000 Print ISSN:0171-8630; Online ISSN:1616-1599 Copyright © 2000 Inter-Research.