Abstract
Triops cancriformis, which belongs to an aquatic crustacean family, primarily inhabits paddy fields in Japan. Triops's eggs can enter cryptobiosis (i.e., a metabolic dormancy), and become tolerant to dryness, low and high temperatures, and vacuums, and this ability allows for adaptability under the "half dry" conditions in paddy fields. In this study, to elucidate the mechanism underlying cryptobiosis induction and termination, we analysed trehalose, a cryptobiotic compatible solute, in T. cancriformis egg. Newly laied eggs contained very little trehalose and followed by accumulation of trehalose up to 1.2% of per dry mass with its dehydration proceeds. After rehydration most of eggs did not hatch and trehalose remained. This is unique because most of cryptobiotic organisms resume immediately after rehydration.
