Figure 2

Embryo viability in dry conditions is greatly improved after serosal cuticle formation. Pools of synchronized developing eggs were transferred to dry conditions after 10, 15 or 20 HAE (A, B, C, respectively), a period that encompasses SC formation. In each case, embryos were kept on dry for 25 (1), 48 (2) or 120 (3) hours, as indicated. Hatching of samples was then checked (see item 4 of Methods for details). Data are expressed as percent viability, corrected from control samples, kept on moist conditions throughout development. Blue stripe: putative period between beginning of SC formation and its complete maturation (see Discussion). Dashed line: end of embryogenesis. Hatching stimuli was performed at the end of embryogenesis, or when indicated by *.