title: A substance released by metamorphosing larvae and young polyps ofHydractinia echinata induces metamorphosis in conspecific larvae.
abstract: A metamorphosis-inducing factor was isolated from medium conditioned by either metamorphosing larvae or 3-day postmetamorphic primary polyps. The factor has a molecular weight ≥ 8 kDa and is heatlabile. It does not induce metamorphosis of isolated posterior fragments and is therefore not identical to the internal signal described by Schwoerer-Böhning et al. (1990). The biological significance of the substance is currently unclear, therefore its inducing activity may be a side effect.
authors.affiliation: Zoologisches Institut der Universität, Im Neuenheimer Feld 230, W-6900, Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Leitz
authors.affiliation: Zoologisches Institut der Universität, Im Neuenheimer Feld 230, W-6900, Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Rolf Gerhard
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Lange
keywords: Hydractinia echinata (Hydrozoa); Metamorphosis; Metamorphosis inducing factor