Induction of multiple embryos with NaHCO3 or calcium free sea water in the horseshoe crab.

When horseshoe crab embryos were treated with NaHCO3 at the developmental stage when the germ disc appears, multiple embryos were formed. NaHCO3 may effect the formation of multiple embryos by binding Ca2+ ions of the embryo since multiple embryos were also formed by treatment with Ca2+ free sea water.The treatment caused the blastoderm layer to tear. When the embryos were returned to normal sea water after the treatment, the blastoderm recovered. Some cell masses, probably derived from the germ disc or its prospective cells, formed during the process of the recovery. Each cell mass developed into an embryo.