RNAi experiments of this gene in the silk worm, Bombyx mori showed a significant role in tissue restructuring, being critical for metamorphosis and normal development [ 61].
The present study demonstrates that coral larval metamorphosis, a critical step in the process of coral recruitment, is more sensitive to Cu as SSTs increase further above current summer temperatures of ≥31°C [45].
After critical weight, larvae initiate metamorphosis without any developmental delay even when starved.
Many of the genes that underlie critical developmental processes during metamorphosis, including sex-specific processes, have been identified.
If the model is correct then one would expect that feeding 20E just after ecdysis to L3 will lead to a smaller critical weight and precocious metamorphosis.
Investigation of miRNA expression in these tissues under conditions of programmed cell death or apoptosis may aid in establishing the critical molecular mechanisms underlying metamorphosis.
Direct transformation of larval tentacles into the definitive tentacles allows the juvenile to capture food particles immediately after the critical point of the metamorphosis.
Increasing IIS/TOR activity in the PGs causes precocious ecdysone biosynthesis, precocious critical weight transitions, precocious metamorphosis and dramatic reductions in body size (Caldwell et al., 2005; Colombani et al., 2005; Mirth et al., 2005; Layalle et al., 2008).
Although reproduction and metamorphosis are critical times in an amphibian life cycle, focusing on developmental anomalies during these relatively late stages overlooks earlier and equally detrimental abnormalities that may occur (Rohr et al. 2004; Storrs and Kiesecker 2004).
Further, Larson et al. (1998) revealed delays in growth and development early in life followed by accelerated development and early metamorphosis once a critical size for metamorphosis was reached.
