Identification of methyl farnesoate in the cypris larva of the barnacle, Balanus amphitrite, and its role as a juvenile hormone.
Previous investigations have shown that insect juvenile hormone (JH) and its analogues induce precocious metamorphosis of barnacle cypris larvae. In the present study, methyl farnesoate (MF; structurally identical to JH III, except for the absence of an epoxide group) has been shown to have a concentration-dependent effect on the development of cyprids of the barnacle Balanus amphitrite. Analysis of cypris extracts by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry with selected ion monitoring (GC-MS-SIM) confirmed the presence of endogenous MF. These data provide evidence that MF functions as a juvenilizing hormone in barnacle cyprids, an effect that hitherto has not been noted.
Smith
P A
PA
Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, Citadel Hill, Plymouth, PL1 2PB, Devon, UK. psmi@mba.ac.uk
Clare
A S
AS
Rees
H H
HH
Prescott
M C
MC
Wainwright
G
G
Thorndyke
M C
MC
D000818:Animals; D001681:Biological Assay; D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D007536:Isomerism; D007605:Juvenile Hormones / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D007814:Larva / Q000378:metabolism; D012717:Sesquiterpenes / Q000378:metabolism; D001468:Thoracica / Q000378:metabolism*
D005231:Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; D007605:Juvenile Hormones; D012717:Sesquiterpenes; C032429:methyl farnesoate; C036585:juvenile hormone III