Annual and Proecdysial Variations in Urine Production in Crayfish

Abstract

The crustacean X organ-sinus gland complex has been extensively studied and shown to regulate such diverse activities as molting, integumentary and retinal pigment movements, blood glucose levels, ovarian development, and many others. The elucidation of the controlling mechanisms of these activities is complicated by the interdependent relationships among them. Further complications arise from the fact that in crustaceans, as in most organisms, seasonal and life cycles may be superimposed upon daily cycles and changes.