Although the development and reproduction of crustaceans are known to be hormonally regulated, the identities and roles of the hormones involved are poorly understood. This research project will study methyl farnesoate, a newly discovered crustacean compound that is chemically similar to juvenile hormone that is present in insects. Since juvenile hormone regulates many important aspects of insect development and reproduction, it seems likely that methyl farnesoate has equally potent effects on crustaceans. Information about the roles of methyl farnesoate should increase our understanding of crustacean physiology, information that may be of considerable utility in the aquaculture of economically important crustacean species, such as lobsters, shrimp, crabs and crawfish.
