The Regulation of Crustacean Development and Reproduction

甲壳类动物的生长和繁殖是重要的过程，但控制它们的方法还不太清楚。本申请将研究一种新发现的甲壳类化合物——法尼索酸甲酯（methyl farnesoate， MF）对这两个过程的影响。由于MF在化学上类似于一种调节昆虫繁殖和生长的昆虫激素（幼激素），因此有充分的理由相信MF在甲壳类动物中具有类似的作用。这些研究的结果将使我们更好地了解甲壳类动物及其与昆虫的关系。研究结果还可能具有重大的应用效益，因为促进某些甲壳类动物（如虾和小龙虾）的生长和繁殖对水产养殖业具有重大意义。

Crustacean growth and reproduction are important processes, but the means by which they are controlled is not well understood. The research proposed in this application will investigate the effect of a newly discovered crustacean compound, methyl farnesoate (MF), on these two processes. Since MF is chemically similar to an insect hormone (juvenile hormone) which regulates insect reproduction and growth, there is good reason to believe that MF has a similar role in crustaceans. The results of these studies will provide us with a better understanding of crustaceans and their relationship to insects. The results may also have significant applied benefits, since enhancing the growth and reproduction of certain crustaceans (e.g. shrimp and crayfish) is of considerable interest to the aquaculture industry.