Changes in Haemolymph Ecdysteroid Levels and Cns Contents of Crustacean Cardioactive Peptide-Immunoreactivity During the Moult Cycle of the Isopod Oniscus Asellus

Abstract

By use of newly developed enzyme immunoassays for ecdysteroids (ECD) and crustacean cardioactive peptide (CCAP) it was found (1) that in the isopod Oniscus asellus a peak occurs of hemolymph (HL)-ECD contents in prcmoult stages followed by a second but smaller peak 1 h after posterior ecdysis, and (2) that concomitantly with a drop in the first ECD-peak, CCAP-contcnts of the ventral nerve cord rise tenfold basal level around posterior ecdysis. This suggests that CCAP plays a role in isopod moulting processes.