Sherry Tamone, Ph.D.

Education:

• Ph.D. University of California, Davis 1993
• B.S. San Francisco State University 1984

Ph.D research conducted at the Bodega Marine Laboratory

Research:

My studies are concerned with the role of hormones in regulating physiological processes in decapod Crustacea (crabs and lobsters). Hormones are chemical mediators that regulate physiological processes such as growth, reproduction, and osmoregulation. I am interested in the mechanism by which hormones such as ecdysteroids, methyl farnesoate, and molt-inhibiting hormone regulate growth and reproduction in decapod crustaceans. The majority of crustaceans that I study are commercially important crabs. These include Dungeness crab, Cancer magister, snow crab, Chionoecetes opilio, and king crab, Paralithodes camtschaticus.

Ecdysteroids are crustacean hormones that function to regulate the molt cycle and therefore the growth of these animals. Methyl farnesoate is a sesquiterpenoid hormone derived from the mandibular organ that functions in both reproduction and growth. Methyl farnesoate also may be critical during crustacean larval development and morphogenesis. Methyl farnesoate is structurally similar to the insect juvenile hormones, which regulate insect development.

Other studies related to crustacean physiology involve the effect of endogenous crustacean hormones on ectoparasites. Specifically, I have an interest in how hormones (ecdysteroids, methyl farnesoate) can be exploited by certain parasites. The model for these studies is the infection of the Dungeness crab, Cancer magister by the nemertean worm, Carcinonemertes errans.

Curriculum vitae

Publications:

• Chung, J. S., Bembe, S., Tamone, S. L., Andrews, E., and Thomas, H. (2009). Molecular cloning of the crustacean hyperglycemic hormone (CHH) from the X-organ and identification of the neuropeptides in the sinus glands of the Alaskan Tanner crab, Chionoecetes bairdi. G. C. E. (in review).
• Tamone, S. L. (2007). An introduction to coastal monitoring. Proceedings from the Aleutian Life Forum, Unalaska, Alaska. Sea Grant College Program.
• Webb, J., Eckert, G. L., Shirley T. C., Tamone, S. L. (2007). Changes in embryonic development and hatching in the snow crab, Chionoecetes opilio, with variation in incubation temperature. Biological Bulletin 213: 67-75.
• Tamone, S.L., Taggart, S. J., Andrews, A. G. Mondragon, J. and J. K. Nielsen. (2007). Ecdysteroids in Tanner crabs are compared with claw allometry: Further evidence for a terminal molt in the genus Chionoecetes. J. Crust. Biol. 24 (4) 635-642.
• Thomton, J., Tamone, S. L., Adkinson, S. M. (2006). Circulating ecdysteroid concentrations in Alaskan Dungeness crab (Cancer magister). J. Crust. Biol. 26: 176-181
• Webb, J., Eckert, G. L., Shirley T. C., Tamone, S. L. (2006). Changes in zoeae of the snow crab, Chionoecetes opilio, with variation in incubation temperature. J. Exp. Mar. Biol. Ecol. 339: 96-103.
• Tamone, S. L., Adams, M. A., Dutton, J. M. (2005). Effect of eyestalk-ablation oncirculating ecdysteroids in hemolymph of snow crab, Chionoecetes opilio: Physiological evidence for a terminal molt. Integr. Comp. Biol. 45. 166-177.
• El Haj, A. J., Tamone, S. L., Peake, M., Reddy, P. S., Chang, E. S. (1998). An ecdysteroid responsive gene in the crustacean similar to the Manduca MHR3 gene- a crustacean member of the steroid hormone superfamily. Gene 210: 127-135.
• Tamone, S. L. and Chang, E. S. 1997. Identification and characterization of methylfarnesoate binding proteins in the crab, Cancer magister. Gen. Comp. Endocrinol. 105: 168-175.
• Tamone, S. L. and Chang, E. S. 1992. Methyl farnesoate regulates ecdysteroid secretion crab Y-organs in vitro. Gen. Comp. Endocrinol. 89, 425-432.

Courses Taught:

• B105 & B106 Fundamentals of Biology
• B305 Invertebrate Zoology
• B310 Animal Physiology
• B375 Current Topics in Biology
• B415 Physiology of Marine Organisms
• B498 Research in Crustacean Biology