Faculty Advisor
Gibson, Daniel Gilbert
Abstract
The steroid analogue ecdysone (20-Hydroexyecdysone 2B, 3B, 14a, 20B, 22,25-Hexahydroxy-7-cholesten) causes molting in horseshoe crabs as in other arthropods (Flynn, 1997) but its origin in chelicerates is unknown. I have used standard immune electron microscopy to search for it in premolt larva. Its source has not yet been determined, possibly because steroid antigenicity could be affected by osmium fixation. It is quite likely ecdysone is stored or produced in these lecithotrophic larvae.
Publisher
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Date Accepted
January 2001
Major
Biotechnology
Project Type
Major Qualifying Project
Copyright Statement
Access to this report is limited to members of the WPI community. Please contact a project advisor or their department to request access
Accessibility
Restricted-WPI community only
Advisor Department
Biology and Biotechnology