INVOLVEMENT OF METHYL FARNESOATE IN THE REGULATION OF MOLTING AND REPRODUCTION IN THE FRESHWATER CRAB OZIOTELPHUSA SENEX SENEX

Abstract The influence of methyl farnesoate (MF) in the regulation of molt and gonad development in the crab Oziotelphusa senex senex was investigated. Injection of methyl farnesoate into female and male crabs significantly (P < 0.0001) increased mean oocyte diameter (236.37%) and testicular follicle diameter (25.72%) as well as mean gonad indices (females 1304.35%; males 38.00%) and also accelerated the molting (females 80%; males 100%). These results provide strong evidence that methyl farnesoate is involved in the control of both molting and reproduction in crabs.