Ostracod microdissection was performed, as described above, in ice-cold sterile saline under a dissection microscope. Next, carapace halves were decontaminated prior to placement in culture. Following dissection, carapace halves were incubated in 2.5 μg/ml amphotericin B (Sigma, Gillingham, UK) and/or 2% povidone–iodine in saline (Sigma) for 0–4 min (n = 10 per disinfectant tested at each time point). Cell viability, expressed as a percentage, was determined by quantitation of live (green fluorescence) and dead cells (red fluorescence) using a live/dead assay kit (Abcam, Cambridge, UK, ab115347) in images captured using a Leica 6000 fluorescent microscope and Leica Application Suite X (LAS X) software.
For carapace-epithelial culture, the epithelial layer was retained on the carapace. For epidermal explant culture, the epidermal layer was carefully dissected away using microdissection needles (Fig.1 ).
For carapace-epithelial culture, the epithelial layer was retained on the carapace. For epidermal explant culture, the epidermal layer was carefully dissected away using microdissection needles (Fig.