ISSN:
1432-0878
Keywords:
Development
;
Sea urchin
;
Hyaline layer
;
Granular layer
;
Ultrastructure
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Medicine
Notes:
Summary Employing electron-microscopic methods that help retain polyanionic materials, we describe the extracellular coverings of a sea urchin (Lytechinus variegatus) throughout ontogeny. The surface of the embryo is covered by a two-layered cuticle (commonly called the hyaline layer), which in turn is covered by a granular layer. The granular layer is retained after addition of alcian blue to the fixative solutions, and has not been previously described for any sea urchin. After hatching, the granular layer disappears, but the hyaline layer continues to cover most of the larval surface until settlement and metamorphosis. A few days before metamorphosis, the hyaline layer lining the vestibular invagination of the competent pluteus larva is replaced by a three-layered cuticle resembling that of the adult sea urchin. The hyaline layer covering the rest of the larva is evidently lost at metamorphosis during the involution of the general epidermis.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00218028
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