Cuticle morphogenesis in crustacean embryonic and postembryonic stages

• Published in: Arthropod structure & development Vol. 46; no. 1; pp. 77 - 95
• Main Authors: Mrak, Polona, Bogataj, Urban, Štrus, Jasna, Žnidaršič, Nada
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.01.2017
• Subjects: Animal Shells - embryology; Animal Shells - physiology; Animals; Calcification; Calcinosis; Chitin - chemistry; Chitinous matrix; Crustacea - embryology; Crustacea - physiology; Development; Developmental Biology; Embryonic Development; Epithelial Cells; Exoskeleton; Gut; Insect Proteins - physiology; Intestines - embryology; Intestines - physiology; Larva - physiology; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; Molting; Morphogenesis; Tendon cells; Development; Calcification; Chitinous matrix; Exoskeleton; Tendon cells; Gut
• ISSN: 1467-8039; 1873-5495
• DOI: 10.1016/j.asd.2016.11.001

The crustacean cuticle is a chitin-based extracellular matrix, produced in general by epidermal cells and ectodermally derived epithelial cells of the digestive tract. Cuticle morphogenesis is an integrative part of embryonic and postembryonic development and it was studied in several groups of crustaceans, but mainly with a focus on one selected aspect of morphogenesis. Early studies were focused mainly on in vivo or histological observations of embryonic or larval molt cycles and more recently, some ultrastructural studies of the cuticle differentiation during development were performed. The aim of this paper is to review data on exoskeletal and gut cuticle formation during embryonic and postembryonic development in crustaceans, obtained in different developmental stages of different species and to bring together and discuss different aspects of cuticle morphogenesis, namely data on the morphology, ultrastructure, composition, connections to muscles and molt cycles in relation to cuticle differentiation. Based on the comparative evaluation of microscopic analyses of cuticle in crustacean embryonic and postembryonic stages, common principles of cuticle morphogenesis during development are discussed. Additional studies are suggested to further clarify this topic and to connect the new knowledge to related fields. •Common principles of cuticle morphogenesis in crustacean development are discussed.•A structurally simple precuticular matrix precedes cuticle formation in embryos.•The first cuticle formation is completed by the end of embryogenesis.•The ultrastructure and composition are parallelly modified in cuticle differentiation.•Cuticle morphogenesis is similar in species of different developmental strategies.