LECTIN-BINDING TO SURFACE GLYCOPROTEINS ON COULLANA SPP (COPEPODA, HARPACTICOIDA) CAN INHIBIT MATE GUARDING

We tested the hypothesis that surface glycoproteins Found on Coullana spp. are important signals in contact mate-recognition. Female copepod ites (mostly molt-stage V) of Coullana canadensis (Maryland) and Coull ana sp. (Florida) were treated with 0.1 mg ml(-1) of four lectins that represent a variety of carbohydrate affinities. The females were then washed and exposed to males. Binding of some lectins significantly re duced the ability of males to recognize potential mates and initiate p recopulatory mate guarding. Other lectin treatments had no significant effect on this behavior. These data show that surface glycoproteins o n female Coullana spp. are important mating signals for males in the r ecognition of conspecifics. Our results also suggest that differences in chemical signals among these sibling species may have evolved.