ROLE OF SURFACE GLYCOPROTEINS IN MATE-GUARDING OF THE MARINE HARPACTICOID TIGRIOPUS-JAPONICUS

Surface glycoproteins serve as mate-and gamete-recognition molecules i n some marine animals such as rotifers and sea urchins. We investigate d the role of contact chemoreception of surface glycoproteins in mate recognition, mate-guarding, and spermatophore transfer in the marine h arpacticoid Tigriopus japonicus Mori. Adult males accurately distingui shed immature females from a pool of mixed-sex juveniles, and their be havior towards both live and dead females is described. A survey of th e binding sites of twelve lectins to the surface of juvenile and adult females, and adult males demonstrated localized lectin-binding at sit es considered important in mating behavior of each sex/age class. Trea ting adult males with the Triticum vulgaris lectin sharply inhibited n ormal mate recognition and guarding behavior, as did the monosaccharid e glucosamine. Treatment of males with protease and detergents destroy ed their mate-guarding behavior without affecting swimming behavior. T hese results suggest that protein receptors on the antennules of the m ales detect glycoprotein signals on the surface of females, recognizin g carbohydrate moieties of glycoproteins to identify appropriate partn ers for guarding or mating. Surface glycoproteins may function as a co mmon mechanism of sexual communication in many marine zooplankters.