In normal development the veg(1) tier of the sixth cleavage Strongyloc
entrotus purpuratus embryo contributes progeny to both ectodermal line
ages and portions of the archenteron. Treatment with 18 mM LiCl specif
ically affects this lineage allocation, reducing or eliminating the ve
g, contribution to ectoderm. Less frequently this concentration of lit
hium causes the progeny of animal blastomeres to contribute to the arc
henteron. (C) 1997 Academic Press.