Surface glycoproteins potentially involved in mate recognition in nine freshwater rotifer species

A surface glycoprotein in the marine rotifer Brachionus plicatilis functions as a contact mate recognition pheromone (MRP). A polyclonal antibody to this glycoprotein (anti-MRP) binds to the body surface of nine freshwater rotifer species at sites important in mating behavior of the species studied. Binding among brachionid species was concentrated in the corona and foot as expected from previous observations of mating behavior. In non-brachionid species other than bdelloids, binding occurred in areas where males contacted females and initiated mating. Although the antibody bound to female Brachionus calycifloris, it did not decrease the number of male mating attempts. These results are discussed in light of other research on anti-MRP blokkage of male mating in B. plicatilis and B. rotundiformis strains.