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Environmental and Endocrine Control of Reproduction in Two Species of Polychaete: Potential Bio-Indicators for Global Climate Change

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 May 2009

A.J. Lawrence
Affiliation:
Department of Applied Biology, University of Hull, Kingston upon Hull, HU6 7RX

Extract

An in vitro bioassay has been developed which shows that oogenesis in Harmothoe imbricata is controlled by a gonadotrophic hormone which promotes egg protein synthesis in developing oocytes. A similar endocrine control mechanism is found in Eulalia viridis and analysis of in vivo assays indicate that the hormone acts as a transducer between the environment and the gamete. The timing of gametogenesis is controlled by environmental cues in both species and may be affected by predicted global climate change. With the development of these sensitive hormone assays it is possible to test the impact of climate change on both species, providing a possible early warning system for global warming and potential bio-indicators of climate change. Harmothoe imbricata is likely to be the more sensitive indicator species.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 1996

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