Abstract
Tunic in 46-hr-old Ascidia callosa larvae reared from dechorionated neurulae is either markedly reduced in thickness or absent altogether. The epidermis is fragile and cuticular fins fail to develop. Dechorionated neurulae treated with tunichrome and other reducing compounds (e.g., glutathione, ascorbate) show an enhancement in tunic formation and rudimentary fin development. UV absorbance spectra of extracts from unfertilized eggs, late tail-bud embryos, and tadpole larvae indicate that tunichrome may be present in all developmental stages. Experiments with neurulae in which the chorion was punctured with tungsten needles but not removed signify that the test cells are the most likely source of tunichrome. Results are consistent with the hypothesis that tunichrome is involved in the natural processes of tunic morphogenesis in ascidian embryos.