Structure and cuticle formation of the reticulated carapace of the ostracode Bicornucythere bisanensis

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Abstract
EM examination revealed fine structures of the adult carapace of B. bisanensis, which consists mainly of epicuticle, procutile, membranous layer, epidermal cells and subdermal cells. Piled membrane structure is recognized as an organic framework of the procuticle. Newly formed cuticle examined with specimens at various stages of the molt cycle clarified the process of cuticle formation. Analysis of the complicated process of cuticular ridge formation permits morphogenetic discussion of surface features of the ostracod carapace of many species. Cuticle formation in close relation to cell boundaries clearly indicates that each polygon of the carapace reticulation is formed by 1 epidermal cell. The cell-polygon correspondence suggests that ostracod reticulation is important for elucidation of the phylogenic and ontogenic development of multicellular organisms at cell level.