Chordate evolution in a new light.
Gene expression studies in embryos often provide insights into evolutionary relationships across phyla. In this issue of Cell, Lowe et al. examine the patterning of the bilaterian nervous system by studying gene expression in a hemichordate, the acorn worm. Although these animals have an unstructured nervous system, they show surprisingly conserved gene expression domains, shedding new light on the evolution of the central nervous system and the phylogenetic placement of chordates.
Tautz
Diethard
D
Institut für Genetik, Universität zu Köln, Weyertal 121, 50931, Köln, Germany.
D000818:Animals; D005075:Biological Evolution; D019521:Body Patterning / Q000235:genetics*; D002816:Chordata, Nonvertebrate / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology*; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / Q000235:genetics; D007448:Invertebrates / Q000196:embryology*; D009420:Nervous System / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology*; D010802:Phylogeny; D014714:Vertebrates / Q000196:embryology*