RESUMO
The fusion of the eye-antennal discs during culturein vitro has been investigated, and the complex morphogenetic movements which occur during the formation of the head capsule of the insect are described. The initial contact between the eye anlagen is by means of cell processes spanning the gap between the two discs. Subsequently the two epithelia become firmly apposed, and then the integrity of the epithelium in the region of fusion breaks down, cells appearing to move to new positions in order to form an epithelium which unites the two discs. The epithelium eventually secretes a pattern of cuticular structures which is continuous between the derivatives of the two discs. Bristles on either side of the line of fusion are perfectly aligned, and structures such as the median ocellus, which are formed jointly by the cells of the two discs, differentiate normally. This is also found when left and right eye-antennal discs of different genotypes are placed side-by-side, indicating that processes of pattern regulation can occur in culture.
RESUMO
The thin region of the peripodial membrane is confined to the area overlying the distal anlagen in thoracic discs. During the early stages of evagination the peripodial membrane is greatly stretched, but does not rupture. The appendage then evaginates through the stalk, probably by means of a contraction of the peripodial membrane. The cells of the peripodial membrane of leg and wing discs persist and differentiate sheets of trichomes characteristic of the ventral and lateral thorax. This is discussed in relation to imaginal disc fate maps.
