Summary
It was investigated, by extirpation experiments, whether the Y-organ ofOrconectes limosus controls molting, i.e. can be termed a molting gland. Onset of permolt activities as indicated by gastrolith initiation under molt stimulating conditions was strongly inhibited by removal of the Y-organs. This effect was fully compensated for by multiple injections of β-ecdysone (0.05 μg/g body weight per injection). The operation was more effective in preventing gastrolith initiation in eyestalkless animals than it was in intact animals. When gastrolith formation had already been initiated, further growth of gastroliths was effectively inhibited by Y-organ removal. Doses of β-ecdysone which fully compensated for the lack of the gland in initiation of gastroliths were only partially effective in maintaining their further growth. It is concluded that the Y-organs are required not only for initiation of gastroliths but also for maintenance of their further growth.
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Keller, R., Willig, A. Experimental evidence of the molt controlling function of the Y-organ of a macruran decapod,Orconectes limosus . J Comp Physiol B 108, 271–278 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00691675
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00691675