%0 Journal Article
%T Marked changes in neuropeptide expression accompany broadcast spawnings in the gastropod Haliotis asinina
%A Patrick S York
%A Scott F Cummins
%A Sandie M Degnan
%A Ben J Woodcroft
%A Bernard M Degnan
%J Frontiers in Zoology
%D 2012
%I BioMed Central
%R 10.1186/1742-9994-9-9
%X We demonstrate that genes encoding APGWamide, myomodulin, the putative proctolin homologue whitnin, FMRFamide, a schistosomin-like peptide (SLP), a molluscan insulin-related peptide (MIP) and a haliotid growth-associated peptide (HGAP) all are differentially expressed in the anterior ganglia during the two week spawning cycle in both male and female abalone. Each gene has a unique and sex-specific expression profile. Despite these differences, expression levels in most of the genes peak at or within 12£¿h of the spawning event. In contrast, lowest levels of transcript abundance typically occurs 36£¿h before and 24£¿h after spawning, with differences in peak and low expression levels being most pronounced in genes orthologous to known molluscan reproduction neuromodulators.Exploiting the predictable semi-lunar spawning cycle of the gastropod H. asinina, we have identified a suite of evolutionarily-conserved, mollusc-specific and rapidly-evolving neuropeptides that appear to contribute to the regulation of spawning. Dramatic increases and decreases in ganglionic neuropeptide expression levels from 36£¿h before to 24£¿h after the broadcast spawning event are consistent with these peptides having a regulatory role in translating environmental signals experienced by a population into a synchronous physiological output, in this case, the release of gametes.The Mollusca is an extraordinarily diverse and successful phylum whose members occupy a wide range of terrestrial, freshwater and marine habitats. In the marine environment, molluscs currently account for approximately 23% of the 230,000 known animal species, a proportion rivalled only by the Crustacea [1], and it is estimated that over 50% of extant molluscs still have yet to be discovered and described [2]. The success of marine molluscs can be attributed partially to their varied modes of reproduction, which range from synchronous broadcast spawning entrained by environmental cues (e.g. chitons, bivalves and gastropods) t
%K Reproduction
%K Tropical abalone
%K Haliotis asinina
%K Neuropeptide
%K Neuromodulator
%U http://www.frontiersinzoology.com/content/9/1/9