title: Phylogeny, fossils, and model systems in the study of evolutionary developmental biology.
abstract: The emerging field of evolutionary developmental biology (evo-devo) continues to operate largely under a single paradigm. In this paradigm developmental regulatory genes and processes are compared among a collection of "model organisms" selected primarily on the basis of their historical utility in the study of development. This approach has proven to be extremely informative, revealing an unexpected deep evolutionary conservation among developmental genes and genetic systems. Despite its success, concern has been expressed regarding its limitations. We discuss the "model organism" paradigm in evo-devo research. Based on our interpretation of its limitations, we propose a separate but complementary approach that is centered on "model groups." These groups are selected on the basis of their taxonomic affinity and their relevance to questions of interest to evo-devo biologists. We further discuss the Tetraodontiformes (Teleostei, Pisces) as an example of a "model group" for the evo-devo study of vertebrate skeletal elements.
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology, Ramsay Wright Zoological Laboratories, University of Toronto, 25 Harbord Street, Toronto, Canada, M5S 3G5. fsantini@zoo.vtoronto.ca
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Santini
authors.forename: Edmund J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Stellwag
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002965:Classification; D015509:Developmental Biology / Q000379:methods*; D005399:Fishes / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics; D005580:Fossils; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D010802:Phylogeny; D014714:Vertebrates
chemical_list: D018398:Homeodomain Proteins