MECHANISMS OF COORDINATION BETWEEN MOULTING AND REPRODUCTION IN TERRESTRIAL ISOPOD CRUSTACEA

¹ Department of Biology, York University, Downsview, Ontario, M3J 1P3, Canada

In terrestrial isopods, different sensory cues initiate reproduction and moulting, indicating that the two processes are controlled by different physiological mechanisms. A specific sensory trigger which initiates premoult is identified; it occurs well before conventional signs of premoult become evident. Specific coordinating mechanisms adjust the chronology of moulting and vitellogenesis under conditions promoting both processes. The first phase of vitellogenesis can occur either in intermoult or early premoult according to conditions and is considered to be independent of ecdysone. The second phase invariably occurs in late premoult and may be ecdysone-dependent. The relations between moulting and reproduction are regarded as separately controlled processes which interact via specific cues which coordinate and adjust the timing of the two processes. Implications of this concept are discussed.

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