Bio Experiment on Space Flyer Unit: Effects of Gravity on Early Development of Japanese Red Bellied Newt

Abstract

Biological effects of gravity were examined for early development of the Japanese red bellied newt, Cynops pyrrhogaster. Female newts were sent to space on Space Flyer Unit. Egg spawning was induced by raising temperature in orbit. Image of egg was obtained after newts were waked up from hibernation. The developmental stage of embryos at the end of space experiment was between morula and tail bud. Morphology of embryos was not deviated from those developed on ground.