Abstract
The newly laid egg of Carcinus maenas is attached to a maternal ovigerous seta by a funiculus which consists of the two superimposed vitelline envelopes 1a + 1b, highly stretched and concurrently showing important structural alterations. The funiculus is glued to the specialized seta merely owing to the strong adhesiveness of its external face comprising the outermost vitelline envelope 1a, without any added adhesive. The subjacent envelope 2, originated from the cortical reaction, is not involved in such a funiculus elaboration. In the course of the embryonic development, four new coatings are successively secreted from the ectodermal embryonic cells, underneath the (1a + 1b + 2) fertilization envelope or embryonic capsule. They will remain until hatching in this concentric order, thus giving evidence of successive embryonic moulting cycles, with apolysis but without exuviation. In addition, the successive secretory phases, regarding to the embryonic envelope elaborations, happen in presence of high concentrations of the ecdysteroid ponasterone A which might be involved consequently in such secretory processes.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
