5. THE ENDOCRINE PANCREAS
277
11. THE PHYLOGENY OF THE ENDOCRINE PANCREAS OF FISHES
A. The Occurrence and Action of Insulin in Invertebrates
Until a few years ago, little was known about the occurrence of the
pancreas hormones in phylogeny. However, recent studies on insulin
activities and B-cell-like elements in lower metazoons suggest that insulin
(or an insulin-containing larger molecule?) already was present in the
common ancestors of both protostomians and deuterostomians ( Falkmer
and Wilson, 1967; see also Table I). It appears highly desirable to learn
Table I
Occurrence of Insulinlike Activity and B-cell-like Elements in Invertebrates0
Species
B cells Insulin
Authors
Aurelia aurita
Metridium senile
He& pomatia
Buccinum undatum
Ostrea lurida
Pecten maximus
Mya arenaria
Eledone cirrata
Homarus vulgaris
Carcinus maenas
Callincctes sapidus
Apis mellifica (larval food)
Pisaster ochracens
Asterias rubens
Ciona intestinalis
Branchiostoma lanceolatum
-
-
+
-
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
Protostomia
-
-
Davidson et al. (1968b)
+ Ammon el al. (1967)
+
-
+
+ Collip (1923)
+
J. K. Davidson et al. (1968b)
J. K. Davidson et al. (196813)
S. Wilson and Falkmer (1965), Falkmer
and Wilson (1967), Falkmer (1969)
J. K. Davidson et al. (1968b)
S. Wilson and Falkmer (1965), Falkmer
and Wilson (1967), Falkmer (1969),
J. K. Davidson el al. (1968b)
-
+
-
Falkmer (1969)
+ Dixit and Pate1 (1964)
J. K. Davidson et al. (1968b)
J. K. Davidson et al. (1968b)
Deuterostomia
+
+
S. Wilson and Falkmer (1965), Falkmer
Falkmer and Wilson (1967), J. K.
and Wilson (1967)
Davidson et al. (1968b)
+ Falkmer and Wilson (1967), J. K.
Davidson el al. (1968b)
Falkmer (1968)
(1 Since the invertebrate “insulins” are presrimably rather different from vertebrate
insulins, and since the B-cell-like elements may occur a t different sites in different species,
this table must be considered a8 a compilation of preliminary data (J. K. Davidson el a/.,
196813).