EFFECTS OF THE NONSTEROIDAL ECDYSONE MIMIC RH-5849 ON LARVAL CRUSTACEANS

The effects of the nonsteroidal ecdysone mimic RH 5849 on larvae of a crab (Rhithropanopeus harrisii) and the cypris larva of a barnacle (Balanus amphitrite) have been investigated. Larvae were exposed to exogenous RH 5849 in the concentration range of 0.1-10.0 mg/L. The two lowest concentrations tested (0.1 and 1.0 mg/L) accelerated molting of crab zoeae. RH 5849 did not induce premature apolysis. A concentration of 10 mg/L RH 5849 was toxic to zoeae: these larvae underwent apolysis but not ecdysis and subsequently died. Attachment and metamorphosis of barnacle cyprids was enhanced by 10.0 mg/L RH 5849. Increased attachment may be a result of physiological aging of larvae by the ecdysone mimic. Increased metamorphosis is consistent with the stimulatory effect of 20-hydroxyecdysone on this process. RH 5849 was fist demonstrated as an ecdysone mimic in insects (Wing, Science, 241:467-469, '88). The present study provides preliminary evidence for a similar action in crustaceans.