The crustacean X organ-sinus gland complex
has been extensively studied and shown to
regulate such diverse activities as molting, integumentary
and retinal pigment movements,
blood glucose levels, ovarian development, and
many others. The elucidation of the controlling
mechanisms of these activities is complicated by
the interdependent relationships among them.
Further complications arise from the fact that
in crustaceans, as in most organisms, seasonal
and life cycles may be superimposed upon daily
cycles and changes
