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The Journal of Experimental Biology 206, 1791-1797 (2003)
doi: 10.1242/jeb.00335

Male-like behavioral patterns and physiological alterations induced by androgenic gland implantation in female crayfish

Assaf Barki1,*, Ilan Karplus1, Isam Khalaila2, Rivka Manor2 and Amir Sagi2

1 Department of Aquaculture, Institute of Animal Science, Agricultural Research Organization, the Volcani Center, PO Box 6 Bet Dagan 50250, Israel
2 Department of Life Sciences and the Institute for Applied Biosciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, PO Box 653 Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel

* Author for correspondence (e-mail: barkia{at}volcani.agri.gov.il)

Accepted 26 February 2003

The androgenic gland (AG) has been shown to regulate male sexual differentiation and secondary male characteristics in Crustacea. This study presents for the first time in crustaceans evidence for masculinization effects of the AG on reproductive behavior, in addition to morpho-anatomical and physiological effects. AG implantation into immature female red claw crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus inhibited secondary vitellogenesis and development of the ovaries, as well as morphological traits that facilitate maternal egg brooding; it also caused the appearance of secondary male characteristics. However, primary male characteristics and a masculine reproductive system were not developed. In pair encounters, aggression was substantially lower in interactions between AG-implanted and intact females than in interactions within AG-implanted or intact pairs. Moreover, elements of mating behavior, i.e. male courtship displays and false copulations, were exhibited by AG-implanted females in several encounters with intact females. In addition to known morpho-anatomical and physiological effects of the AG in crustaceans, the present study suggests that the AG has novel effects on the neural network that generates social behavior.

Key words: androgenic gland, androgenic hormone, agonistic behavior, aggression, fighting, mating behavior, crustacea, decapoda, crayfish, Cherax quadricarinatus.


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