Fig. 6. Comparison of Ca²⁺ uptake rates in sternal epithelial cells at different stages of the moulting cycle (means + S.E.M.). The number of samples is given in parentheses. Asterisks indicate significant differences from the mid premoult stage; ^***P<0.001, ^**P<0.01. ASE, anterior sternal epithelium; PSE, posterior sternal epithelium; EPRE, early premoult; MPRE, mid premoult; LPRE, late premoult; INTRA, intramoult.