ON SELECTED MORPHOMECHANICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF SIGNAL CRAYFISH (PACIFASTACUS LENIUSCULUS DANA) EGGS DURING INCUBATION

Changes in resistance to mechanical pressure during embryogenesis were studied in the signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus Dana). A constant increase in egg size (volume and surface area) was observed to take place throughout the embryonic development, the increase occurring as most probably result of water absorption. The increase in the egg volume was found to be accompanied by a constant reduction in the egg membrane resistance. Morphomechanical aspects of crayfish hatching as well as a possibility of taking advantage of them to enhance astacid reproduction are discussed.