Egg hull formation in Callochiton dentatus (Mollusca,Polyplacophora): the contribution of microapocrine secretion

Abstract. Egg hull formation during oogenesis in the chiton Callochiton dentatus does not follow the typical model of merocrine secretion involving Golgi vesicle exocytosis. Instead, microapocrine secretions are primarily responsible for egg hull formation, although merocrine secretions contribute “areolae” and the vitelline layer. Microapocrine secretion mechanisms are poorly understood, involving a different cellular pathway than is typical. Egg hull formation in C. dentatus involves two types of microapocrine secretions released by the oocyte, one of which is described here for the first time. The plesiomorphic jelly-like egg hull of chitons, as exemplified by the eggs of members of the basal order Lepidopleurida and present also in eggs of C. dentatus (Chitonida: Callichitonidae), may have evolved solely as an oocyte secretion, whereas members of some other families in the order Chitonida form their egg hulls with considerable secretory input from the follicle cells as well.