Nematode morphogenesis: localization of controlling regions by laser microbeam surgery

Laser microbeam studies reveal that postembryonic development of the free-living nematode Panagrellus silusiae is under the control of specific regions. Growth is regulated by the hindgut, and ecdysis by nerve cell bodies situated anterior to the nerve ring, and gonad development is under the control of the nerve ring. This latter event is presumably neuronally mediated, while the other events are under hormonal control.