Fig. 11
From: Whole body regeneration and developmental competition in two botryllid ascidians
Scenarios of post-surgery secondary bud development in Botryllus schlosseri. A Illustration showing surgical isolation of a single secondary bud (white arrow). B By day 6, the vasculature is seen coalescing around the secondary bud, and a beating heart is observed. C The siphon opens on average by day 12 post-surgery and most of the vasculature collapses except for the area surrounding the newly developed zooid. D Illustration showing surgery performed to isolate three secondary buds. E All secondary buds form heartbeats even if they share the same blood vasculature. F Only one zooid opens a siphon. Other secondary buds are resorbed into the blood vasculature and provide extra growth to the remaining zooid. G Illustration showing surgery performed isolate two secondary buds. H Secondary buds are separated from blood communication (black arrows). I Two zooids are present because blood-borne competition was inhibited, and prospective loser bud was capable of full development