The compensatory regeneration of the operculum ofHydroides norvegica: Identification of the inhibiting substance

In the polychete Hydroides norvegica there are two opercula with different degrees of organization: one is completely developed and functional, the other, present only in rudimentary outline. The latter only begins to develop when the functional operculum is removed. It was observed that in the whole body of the Hydroides, but particularly in the functional operculum, there is a substance which inhibits the development of the rudimental operculum. This substance was purified in order to determine its chemical nature. From preparation of opercular homogenates we chemically separated numerous fractions, each of which was tested for inhibitory activity and chemical and physical properties. The…