Synthesis of Ecdysone in the Ovary of Crabs
The present study provides the first evidence of the expression of a putative shadow gene (sad, cytochrome P450 CYP315A1) involved in the ecdysone synthesis pathway, in the ovary of the estuarine crab Neohelice granulata, considered a derived species with the molt not linked to mating. The obtained results represent a first step for future studies testing the hypothesis that during the intermolt period, the mature ovary of females synthesizes ecdysone to locally act on the female vulvae to promote its decalcification, allowing mating. Moreover, the results of the current study indicate that in derived crustacean species, the ovary would synthesize ecdysone, as insects do, thus reinforcing the hypothesis that both groups share an intermediate common ancestor.
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