Wound closure in the crab Carcinus maenas (L.)

Abstract

Small holes were drilled through the integument of Carcinus maenas in one of three locations and the subsequent production of repair cuticle was followed by light and transmission electron microscopy for 105 d. Such holes were plugged by coagulated hemolymph and clumped hemocytes within 24 h. Repair cuticle began to be produced within 7 d, first at the margin of the hole, then centripetally. An epicuticle was not produced. The material synthesized was initially loosely organized but regularly lamellate cuticle was laid down later. This material continued to be produced for at least 105 d by which time its thickness might exceed that of the adjacent undamaged cuticle. The repair cuticle is not the equivalent of any of the constituents of normal procuticle, at least with respect to its ultrastructural organization.