Increased understanding of the molecular components involved in reproduction may assist in understanding the evolutionary adaptations used by animals, including hermaphrodites, to produce offspring and retain a continuation of their lineage.In this study, we focus on the Mediterranean snail, Theba pisana, a hermaphroditic land snail that has become a highly apac1/60/1/cw invasive pest species within agricultural areas throughout the world.Our analysis of T.
pisana CNS tissue has revealed gene transcripts encoding molluscan reproduction-associated proteins including APGWamide, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and an egg-laying hormone (ELH).ELH isoform 1 (ELH1) is known to be a potent reproductive peptide hormone involved in ovulation and egg-laying in some aquatic molluscs.Two other non-CNS ELH isoforms were also present in T.
pisana (Tpi-ELH2 and Tpi-ELH3) within the snail dart sac and mucous glands.Bioactivity of a synthetic ELH1 on sexually mature T.pisana was confirmed through bioassay, with snails showing ELH1-induced egg-laying behaviours, including soil burrowing and oviposition.
In summary, this study presents a detailed molecular analysis of reproductive neuropeptide genes in flexcon reverse osmosis water storage tank a land snail and provides a foundation for understanding ELH function.