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Science 20 March 1970:
Vol. 167. no. 3925, pp. 1624 - 1626
DOI: 10.1126/science.167.3925.1624
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Articles

Neuroendocrine Control of Ecdysis in Silkmoths

James W. Truman 1 and Lynn M. Riddiford 1

1 Biological Laboratories, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts

An adult moth sheds its pupal skin only during a specific period of the day. The brain is necessary for the synchronization of this behavior with the environmental photoperiod. This function is fully preserved when all the brain's nervous connections are severed or when a "loose" brain is transplanted into the tip of the abdomen. By appropriate experiments it was possible to show that the entire mechanism is brain-centered. The components include a photoreceptor mechanism, a clock, and a neuroendocrine output. The clock-controlled release of the hormone acts on the central nervous system to trigger a species-specific behavior pattern which culminates in ecdysis.


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
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The role of the arthropod stomatogastric nervous system in moulting behaviour and ecdysis.
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Corazonin receptor signaling in ecdysis initiation.
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Chitin metabolism in insects: structure, function and regulation of chitin synthases and chitinases.
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Deletion of the ecdysis-triggering hormone gene leads to lethal ecdysis deficiency.
Y. Park, V. Filippov, S. S. Gill, and M. E. Adams (2003)
Development 129, 493-503
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Modulation of ecdysis in the moth Manduca sexta: the roles of the suboesophageal and thoracic ganglia.
M. Fuse and J. W. Truman (2002)
J. Exp. Biol. 205, 1047-1058
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The hormonal coordination of behavior and physiology at adult ecdysis in Drosophila melanogaster.
J. Baker, S. McNabb, and J. Truman (1999)
J. Exp. Biol. 202, 3037-3048
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Transplantation of the Cockroach Circadian Pacemaker.
T. L. PAGE (1982)
Science 216, 73-75
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Peptide and steroid regulation of muscle degeneration in an insect.
L. Schwartz and J. Truman (1982)
Science 215, 1420-1421
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Silk Moth Eclosion: Hormonal Triggering of a Centrally Programmed Pattern of Behavior.
J. W. Truman and P. G. Sokolove (1972)
Science 175, 1491-1493
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Circadian Rhythm: Population of Interacting Neurons.
J. W. Jacklet and J. Geronimo (1971)
Science 174, 299-302
   Abstract »    PDF »
Photosensitivity of the Circadian Rhythm and of Visual Receptors in Carotenoid-Depleted Drosophila.
W. F. Zimmerman and T. H. Goldsmith (1971)
Science 171, 1167-1169
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Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)