Studies on sensory function of deep sea animals

为了验证深海动物的感觉功能，在水槽中对深海蟹Gandalfus yunohana的行为进行了观察，发现该物种对热具有方向性。我们成功地从Gandalfus yunohana中获得了一个编码G蛋白偶联受体的基因，并发现Gandalfus yunohan中存在一个可能的同源基因。通过行为学观察，我们还发现在Paralvinella中存在TRP通道。本研究揭示了深海动物体内存在多种化学感受器，并提示这些感受器可能具有适应深海环境的功能。

To validate the sensory function of deep sea animals, we performed the behavior observation of deep sea crab Gandalfus yunohana in a tank and found this species showed the directivity to heat. We successfully obtained a gene encoding a G protein-coupled receptor from Gandalfus yunohana and found that a possible candidate of a homologous gene exists in Gandalfus yunohan. We also found the occurrence of TRP channels in Paralvinella by behavior observation. The present study reveals the occurrence of various chemical sensors in deep sea animals and suggests these sensors possibly function for the adaptation to deep sea environment.