EFFECT OF EYESTALK ABLATION ON THE METABOLISM OF CAROTENOID-PIGMENTS OF THE HERMIT-CRAB CLIBANARIUS-ERYTHROPUS LATREILLE (1818) (CRUSTACEA, DECAPODA, ANOMOURA)

1. Histological data demonstrate the occurrence of the sinus gland and other neurosecretory groups of cells in the eyestalks of Clibanarius erythropus. 2. Bilateral eyestalks removal induces flagrant modifications of the nature and the amounts of carotenoids in the different tissues. 3. The concentration of beta-carotene of ablated animals decreases substantially suggesting accelerated oxidative reactions leading to the formation of astaxanthin.