Quarterly Journal of Microscopical Science, Vol s3-106, 315-325, Copyright © 1965 by Company of Biologists

Circadian organization of chitin in some insect skeletons

¹ Zoophysiological Laboratory B, Juliane Maries Vej, 36, Copenhagen, Denmark, and Department of Zoology, Parks Road, Oxford

A circadian clock is shown to be involved in the control of macromolecular orientation of chitin by cells secreting and organizing insect endocuticle. Daily organization of locust endocuticle into alternating lamellate and non-lamellate layers persists in constant temperature (36° C) and constant darkness for at least 2 weeks; the freerunning period is then about 23 h, so that after a number of days the circadian clock is 180° out of phase with the astronomical clock, with which it is normally phased. The rhythm is almost independent of temperature, with a Q₁₀ of 1.04, as contrasted with a Q₁₀ of 2.0 for the actual rate of increase of endocuticular thickness. Locust epidermal cells differ in response to specific imposed environmental conditions according to their location in the integument. In some cells, constant low temperature uncouples chitin lamellogenesis from the circadian clock, provided that illumination (light or dark) is constant also: the result is continuously lamellate endocuticle. In other cells constant light acts as an uncoupling factor, provided that temperature (high or low) is constant also: the result in this case is continuously non-lamellate endocuticle.

The circadian rhythm of chitin lamellogenesis persists in a cave cricket (Dolichopoda linderi). A similar circadian lamellogenesis rhythm occurs in the endocuticle of nymphs and adults of the cockroach Periplaneta americana. A crossed-fibre multiple-ply endocuticle in the legs and wings of giant toe-biter water bugs (Belosto-matidae) also displays circadian organization, the chitin macromolecules in any one layer lying in parallel fibres, at an angle of approximately 6o° to those in the next layer.

It is suggested that daily organization of the skeleton may be a general feature of arthropods. Examples include the phenomena of timing of chitin lamellogenesis; chitin crossed-fibrillar organization; degree of fluorescence of the rubber-like protein resilin; and mineralization of crayfish gastroliths.