Abstract
Abstract Oniscidean isopods brood the eggs in a fluid-filled marsupium, and embryos undergo prolonged lecithotrophic development. After sloughing of the vitelline membrane (second embryonic molt), the mancas remain in the marsupium for several more days before emerging as free-living juveniles. Calcium is required for cuticle mineralization in crustaceans, and the time-course of net calcium uptake during these early developmental stages is thus of interest. We studied calcium uptake during embryogenesis and manca development in Armadillidium vulgare using Ca microelectrodes and atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Total Ca increased approximately 17-fold during egg development, from 0.33 ± 0.12 nmol in Early Stage 1 eggs to 5.58 ± 2.73 nmol in Late Stage 2 eggs. However, the major period of uptake occurred after the second embryonic molt, with total Ca increasing rapidly to 197 ± 19.5 nmol per animal in Day 4 mancas; this represents a 35-fold increase from Late Stage 2 eggs. Mancas take up amaranth when c...
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