PARTHENOGENETIC MEROGONY OR CLEAVAGE WITHOUT NUCLEI IN ARBACIA PUNCTULATA

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Abstract
Non-nucleate fractions of Arbacia eggs, obtained by centri-fuging, can be activated by parthenogenetic agents, and develop. These may be termed "parthenogenetic mero-gones." Asters are formed and cell division takes place without nuclei. Cleavages of non-nucleate fractions are strikingly similar to those of nucleate fractions (or whole eggs) of the same stage of development. Many cleavages, in sequence, result in the formation of a blastula of as many as 500 cells. Blastulae emerge from the fertilization membrane. One embryo was still viable after a month. Since development may begin without either maternal or paternal chromosomes, fundamental problems of genetics and heredity are involved.