Fig. 1

Embryonic and early larval development in C. maculatus as visualized with (a–p) confocal laser scanning microscopy and (q–s) light microscopy. Embryos stained with SYTOX Green fluorescent nucleic acid stain: (a–f) selected cleavages: 2, 16, 64, 256, 1024, and 4096 nuclei, respectively; (g) a mitotic wave during transition from 4096 to 8192 nuclei; (h) invagination of a transverse furrow during gastrulation; (i) a three-layered, segmented germ band; (j–l) germ band extension; (m) germ band retraction; (n) the end of germ band retraction and the onset of dorsal closure; (o–p) dorsal closure; in paired images (i–p), the upper and the lower parts correspond to a ventral and a dorsal view, respectively, and belong to different but same-stage embryos, except for (n) that shows the same embryo from both sides. Late embryos at different stages of sclerotization and hatching: (q) reddening of the mandibular tips, ventral view; (r) hatching, viewed ventrolaterally – note that the fully formed larva has rotated 180° and is now emerging through the former dorsal side of the egg; (s) freshly hatched first instar larva, ventral view