Extent and properties of the regeneration field in the larval legs of cockroaches ( Leucophaea maderae ) I . Extirpation experiments By HORST BOHN

Extirpation experiments have been performed on the larvae of cockroaches (Leucophaea maderae) to determine the extent and properties of the regeneration field of the legs of these insects. The distal segments, including the coxa, may all be removed without loss of regenerative capability; but regenerative capability eventually disappears if more proximal parts are removed. There are two regions adjoining the coxa anteriorly and posteriorly which are both important for leg regeneration. The anterior region consists of the sclerotized basal parts of the leg mainly formed by the trochantin and the praecoxa. The posterior region is an unsclerotized membranous area extending from the posterior border of the coxa to the anterior border of the next segment. This membrane is called 'leg-inducing membrane'. If only one of these two regions is present, no leg regeneration will occur. The interaction of both parts is necessary to allow the formation of a complete leg. An extra leg with reversed anterior-posterior polarity is formed when the ' leg-inducing membrane' of one segment is brought into contact with the sclerites of the following segment after extirpation of the membranous area which normally separates them. This membranous area, which represents the most anterior part of a segment, is called 'sclerite-inducing membrane', for if the basal sclerites or part of them are combined with this membrane only sclerites are formed, either in normal or reversed polarity depending on the experimental conditions.