The Amphibian Pronephros

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The amphibian pronephric system is reviewed in terms of ontogeny and phylogeny, function, growth, and degeneration. The classical concept of a derivation from a hypothetical segmental tubular archinephros, and of its nephrotomal origins are well known, and earlier workers have accumulated considerable information about the origin, development, and inductive property of the pronephric duct. Yet knowledge of pronephros phylogenetic development within the amphibia, of causal factors involved in its growth and degeneration, and an understanding of its functional behavior are limited. Some recent work in these latter fields by the author, together with that of earlier contributions by others, has been described. It may be concluded that except for its phylogenetic development (and to some extent the properties of the duct), there exists only a superficial and meager understanding of nearly all aspects of the amphibian pronephric system, the investigation of which should provide fruitful fields for the embryologist.

This publication has 3 references indexed in Scilit: