ANDROGENIC GLAND HORMONE AND DEVELOPMENT OF OVIDUCTS IN THE ISOPOD CRUSTACEAN, ARMADILLIDIUM VULGARE

When androgenic glands from mature males were implanted into females of Armadillidium vulgare during the 3rd, 4th and 5th instars, oviducts developed in 14.3, 37.9 and 85.2% of the masculinized females, respectively. These results show that development of the rudimentary oviducts is inhibited by the androgenic gland hormone in very young females. Development of the oviduct seems to be determined at a critical period in about the 4th instar and after this, the hormone has little inhibitory effect.