Morphology of lateral outgrowths induced on chelipeds of the crayfish Procambarus clarkii (Girard)

Abstract

Characteristic outgrowths developed from wounded surfaces on the lateral faces of chelipeds of the crayfish Procambarus clarkii. These outgrowths formed as separated projections, fused at the base but branched at the distal end, or projections that were completely fused (without hooks or serrations). Outgrowths were usually a paired projection, with the individual projections developing from the proximal and distal surfaces of the wound, respectively, as mirror images. The two projections fused if the distance between them was small. The variations in the shapes of the outgrowths were due to differences in the frequency of fusion.