Control of reproduction in benthic marine invertebrates

底栖海洋无脊椎动物的繁殖控制

• 批准号: 311406-2008
• 负责人: Mercier, Annie
• 金额: $ 1.22万
• 依托单位: Memorial University of Newfoundland
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2012
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2012-01-01 至 2013-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=497494
• 关键词: Control; reproduction; benthic; marine; invertebrates

Reproductive success in marine invertebrates depends on the synchronization of gamete synthesis and spawning. Mechanisms through which this is achieved involve a number of steps, including perception of environmental cues and interactions via chemical signals. My research has been aimed at determining the roles played by exogenous and endogenous factors in the reproductive success of boreal and tropical species. Initial work with sea cucumbers has revealed that inter-individual chemical communication acts together with environmental factors to ensure synchronous gametogenesis and mass-spawning and that perivisceral coelomic fluid becomes bioactive during spawning events. We also found that many echinoderms and molluscs display lunar and circadian rhythms of aggregation and reproduction. Due to a recent breakthrough in the holding of deep-sea invertebrates, a new segment of my work focuses on the factors underlying reproduction in bathyal species, which are presumably exposed to limited environmental fluctuations, yet may still exhibit seasonal breeding cycles. The short term goals of the present research program are to: 1) find evidence of chemical communication in other marine invertebrates using the techniques developed for sea cucumbers; 2) compare the importance of environmental and chemical cues in the reproductive processes of species from various depths with different breeding periodicities; 3) investigate the level of reproductive synchrony in deep-sea species and elucidate the factors involved in ensuring it; 4) refine knowledge of the bioactive properties of body components over the reproductive cycle using multilevel analyses and bioassays; and 5) investigate the concept of "sentinel" individuals (believed to be more receptive to environmental cues, and to use chemical signals to relay those to conspecifics). The long term goals are to clarify the respective roles played by external factors and interspecific exchanges and investigate how the former can perhaps be translocated via the latter. Better knowledge of biological rhythms and chemical communication in benthic animals could help devise new aquaculture techniques and improved ways to protect marine habitats from environmental disturbances.

海洋无脊椎动物的繁殖成功取决于配子合成和产卵的同步。实现这一目标的机制涉及许多步骤，包括通过化学信号感知环境线索和相互作用。我的研究旨在确定外源和内源因素在北方和热带物种繁殖成功中所起的作用。与海参的初步工作表明，个体间的化学通讯与环境因素一起作用，以确保同步配子发生和大量产卵，并在产卵事件期间，内脏周围体腔液变得具有生物活性。我们还发现，许多棘皮动物和软体动物显示月球和昼夜节律的聚集和繁殖。由于最近在深海无脊椎动物的持有方面取得了突破，我的工作的一个新的部分集中在半深海物种繁殖的潜在因素上，这些物种可能受到有限的环境波动的影响，但仍然可能表现出季节性的繁殖周期。本研究计划的短期目标是：1）利用海参研究技术，寻找其他海洋无脊椎动物化学通讯的证据; 2）比较环境和化学线索在不同深度、不同繁殖周期物种繁殖过程中的重要性; 3）调查深海物种的生殖同步水平，并阐明确保生殖同步的因素; 4）使用多层次分析和生物测定法，完善生殖周期中身体成分的生物活性特性的知识;以及5）研究“哨兵”个体的概念（被认为更容易接受环境线索，并使用化学信号将其传递给同种）。长期目标是阐明外部因素和种间交换各自所起的作用，并调查前者如何可能通过后者转移。更好地了解底栖动物的生物节律和化学通讯，有助于设计新的水产养殖技术和更好的方法，保护海洋生境免受环境干扰。