PRIMORDIAL GERM-CELL MIGRATION IN THE CERATITIS-CAPITATA EMBRYO

In this study we followed the behavior of germ cell precursors in the early embryo of the dipteran Ceratitis capitata using conventional flu orescence, laser scanning confocal and transmissiom electron microscop ies, During cellularization the pole cells formed a cluster which lodg ed in a roundish break in the blastoderm at the posterior pole of the embryo, When gastrulation began, the pole cells shifted dorsally and d uring elongation of the germ band moved into the posterior midgut prim ordium. Pole cell morphology suggested that these cells were motile un til the early stages of development.