INFLUENCE OF NOTOCHORD ON DIFFERENTIATION OF STRIATED MUSCLE IN AMBYSTOMA

Abstract

Presumptive notochord, somite, and pronephros, in several combinations, were explanted from early neurulae of the salamander A. maculatum. Results support the idea that the notochord is not an efficient inductor of muscle and nephric tubules. Statistical analysis of the data suggests that muscle. nephric tubules, and neural tissue differentiate independently of one another and that they are not mutually dependent upon an influence by the notochord. The experiments are interpreted as indicating the presence, in the neurula, of independent morphogenetic fields.