Collaborative Research: Pheromones, Polyandry, and Female Reproductive Success in Cephalopods

化学信号分子对于协调生殖很重要，并且经常与其他信号结合使用。在Loligo鱿鱼，在学校游泳，看到白色鸡蛋手指群众，奠定在开放（视觉信号），吸引男性产卵地点，和化学信号从鸡蛋触发行为的变化，从学校到男性之间的竞争。在乌贼乌贼（通常是独居的）中，视觉和化学线索可能会反过来使用。隐藏的卵的化学线索可能会吸引雄性到产卵地，而其他雄性的视线则会引发雄性之间的竞争。一个实验室的y型迷宫将被用来测试卵中的化学物质是否真的能吸引雄性乌贼。在枪乌贼和乌贼的协调生殖中活跃的化学物质存在于卵中，可能起源于卵巢或输卵管腺。这些化学物质将被分离出来，并表征其分子特性。攻击性（Loligo）和唤醒或吸引（Sepia）的行为反应将用于确认分离的化学物质具有生物活性。 研究结果将对研究化学通讯和生殖的研究人员感兴趣，并将导致6- 12名本科生的培训。

Chemical signal molecules are important for coordinating reproduction and are often used in conjunction with other signals. In Loligo squid, which swim in schools, the sight of the white egg finger masses, laid in the open (the visual signal), attracts males to the spawning site, and chemical signals from eggs trigger a behavioral change from schooling to male-male competition. In Sepia cuttlefish (typically solitary), visual and chemical cues may be used the other way around. Chemical cues from hidden eggs may attract males to the laying grounds, while the sight of other males is known to trigger male-male competition. A laboratory y-maze will be used to testwhether chemical cues from eggs actually attract male Sepia. The chemicals that are active in coordinating reproduction in both Loligo and Sepia are found in the eggs, and probably originate in either the ovary or the oviducal gland. These chemicals will be isolated and their molecular properties characterized. The behavioral responses of aggression (Loligo) and arousal or attraction (Sepia) will be used to confirm that the isolated chemicals are bioactive. Results will be of interest to investigators studying chemicalcommunication and reproduction, and will result in the training of 6-12undergraduate students.