| Abstrakt: |
Following our previous report (Yamamoto et al. [1995] Zool. Sci., 12:391–396) in which we demonstrated that protein kinase C (PKC) plays an important role in larval metamorphosis of the barnacle Balanus amphitrite, we examined the effects of a range of neurotransmitters, including serotonin (5‐hydroxytryptamine), epinephrine, and norepinephrine on cyprid settlement and metamorphosis. Serotonin induced pronounced larval settlement. Furthermore, settlement was inhibited by neurotransmitter uptake blockers, such as amitriptyline, imipramine, and desipramine, in a concentration‐dependent manner. Cyprids exposed to these uptake blockers metamorphosed without settling on substrata. These results suggest that serotonin is involved in larval settlement. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. |
Plný text