Induced metamorphosis in crustacean y-larvae: towards a solution to a 100-year-old riddle.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The y-larva, a crustacean larval type first identified more than 100 years ago, has been found in marine plankton samples collected in the arctic, temperate and tropical regions of all oceans. The great species diversity found among y-larvae (we have identified more than 40 species at our study site alone) indicates that the adult organism may play a significant ecological role. However, despite intense efforts, the adult y-organism has never been identified, and nothing is therefore known about its biology.

Results

We have successfully and repeatedly induced metamorphosis of y-larvae into a novel, highly reduced juvenile stage by applying the crustacean molting hormone 20-HE. The new stage is slug-like, unsegmented and lacks both limbs and almost all other traits

SUBMITTER: Glenner H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2412843 | biostudies-literature | 2008 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature