MORPHOLOGY OF DRY-RESISTANT EGGS IN PARTHENOGENETIC HETEROCYPRIS INCONGRUENS (RAMDOHR, 1808) (OSTRACODA, CRUSTACEA)

Abstract

It has been known that many organisms evolved to survive in temporary or ephemeral inland waters. Many of them have dry-resistant eggs against desiccation. The structural feature of egg shell is important because only this will ensure to survive the dry period. Structural features of egg shell in the parthenogenetic Heterocypris incongruens (Ramdohr, 1808) was investigated by scanning electron microscope. Results showed that egg shell structure consists of two distinct layers; an outer layer with holes or alveoli and an inner layer consisting of two dense sublayers. Also, structural similarities in egg-shell of H. incongruens and some other crustaceans which combat desiccation problem will be discussed.