Assessment of the Effects of Double-Stranded RNAs Corresponding to Multiple Vitellogenesis-Inhibiting Hormone Subtype I Peptides in Subadult Female Whiteleg Shrimp, .

Vitellogenesis-inhibiting hormone (VIH) negatively regulates reproduction in shrimp and other decapod crustaceans. In order to assess the effects of transcriptional silencing by multiple VIH subtype I sinus gland peptides (SGPs) on ovarian maturation in female whiteleg shrimp, , we synthesized five dsRNAs targeting , -, -, -, and - and injected them into subadults. The following treatments were employed: sgpG-dsRNA (targeting ), sgpC-dsRNA (targeting ), and mixed-dsRNA (targeting , , and ).

Variation of protein kinase C-α expression in eyestalk removal-activated ovaries in whiteleg shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei.

The regulation of female reproduction in crustaceans is controlled by a variety of hormones. Previous studies of hormone-initiated cellular mechanisms controlling ovarian maturation focused mainly on those initiated by inhibitory hormones. In order to facilitate research on ovarian development, it is necessary to gain a better understanding of factors that promote ovarian growth on the cellular level.

Molecular phylogeny of ten intertidal hermit crabs of the genus Pagurus inferred from multiple mitochondrial genes, with special emphasis on the evolutionary relationship of Pagurus lanuginosus and Pagurus maculosus.

The hermit crab genus Pagurus exhibits high species diversity and a wide geological distribution. Despite the high species diversity of hermit crabs in the western Pacific coast of Japan, molecular phylogenetic studies of these species have yet to be conducted. To investigate their molecular phylogeny and genetic diversity, we obtained nearly complete mitochondrial genome sequences for ten Pagurus species found along the Pacific coast of Japan by next-generation sequencing, which were compared to other congeners deposited in the GenBank database.

The complete larval development of Pagurus maculosus Komai & Imafuku, 1996 (Decapoda, Anomura, Paguridae) reared in the laboratory, and a comparison with sympatric species.

The complete larval development of the hermit crab Pagurus maculosus, is described and illustrated based on specimens reared in the laboratory at 15 °C and 33-35 PSU. Newly hatched larvae invariably passed through a short prezoeal stage (10 minutes to 2 hours), four zoeal stages (each of 7 days,) and one megalopal stage (14 days). Distinct morphological features of each larval stage of the present study are compared with other closely related species in Japanese waters, and we found many differences in morphology and the duration of zoeal stages between them.

The complete larval development of Pagurus lanuginosus De Haan, 1849 (Decapoda, Anomura, Paguridae) reared in the laboratory, with emphasis on the post-larval stage.

The complete larval development of Pagurus lanuginosus is described and illustrated including the first description of the post-larval stage. Specimens were reared in the laboratory at 15°C and 33.5-35.