Adaptive Functions of Vertebrate Molting Cycles

Abstract

SYNOPSIS Cyclic epidermal cellular prohfeiation,with or without keratinization is a vertebrate characteristic Such activity probably obeys an autonomous rhythm which is legulated through neuro humoral S)stcms in response to envnonmental (piox imate)stimuli and related to adaptive (ultimate) factors In seeking cause and effect lelationships, however, it becomes apparent that the same environmental parameter may be both an ultimate and a pioximate factor, the latter also regulating the rate of lesponse With regard to molting in homoio'heims, tempeiatuie acts in such a capacity in many species