Final answer:
Molting and ecdysis in crustaceans are influenced by the release of juvenile hormone and ecdysone, as well as environmental factors. Hence, the correct answer is d. All of the above.
Step-by-step explanation:
Molting and subsequent ecdysis in crustaceans involve complex hormonal interactions and adaptations for survival and growth. Ecdysone is a steroidal hormone that triggers larval molts in the presence of juvenile hormone (JH). This hormone interaction is crucial for the normal metamorphosis of crustaceans, with the declining presence of JH leading to maturation. Ecdysis allows for increased size and morphological changes, which are essential as crustaceans cannot grow with a rigid exoskeleton. Additionally, molting and ecdysis are influenced by various environmental factors, including temperature, humidity, and the availability of water, especially for terrestrial species seeking damp areas to lay eggs.
Crustaceans go through different larval stages like nauplius, zoea, and cypris, each having its own developmental characteristics. The superphylum Ecdysozoa, to which crustaceans belong, is characterized by the necessity to molt a collagenous/chitinous cuticle periodically as part of their growth. In summary, the complexity of molting in crustaceans is governed by hormone levels, environmental conditions, and evolutionary adaptations in the Ecdysozoa clade.
Given this information, the correct option is d. All of the above, as molting and ecdysis in crustaceans are controlled by the release of juvenile hormone, involve the secretion of ecdysone, and are influenced by environmental factors.