title: Whole-mount in situ hybridization in the rotifer Brachionus plicatilis representing a basal branch of lophotrochozoans.
abstract: In order to broaden the comparative scope of evolutionary developmental biology and to refine our picture of animal macroevolution, it is necessary to establish new model organisms, especially from previously underrepresented groups, like the Lophotrochozoa. We have established the culture and protocols for molecular developmental biology in the rotifer species Brachionus plicatilis Müller (Rotifera, Monogononta). Rotifers are nonsegmented animals with enigmatic basal position within the lophotrochozoans and marked by several evolutionary novelties like the wheel organ (corona), the median eye, and the nonpaired posterior foot. The expression of Bp-Pax-6 is shown using whole-mount in situ hybridization. The inexpensive easy culture and experimental tractability of Brachionus as well as the range of interesting questions to which it holds the key make it a promising addition to the "zoo" of evo-devo model organisms.
authors.affiliation: Max-Planck-Institut für Evolutionsbiologie, August-Thienemann-Strasse 2, 24306, Plön, Germany.
authors.forename: Louis A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Boell
authors.forename: Gregor
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bucher
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004528:Egg Shell / Q000378:metabolism; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian / Q000378:metabolism; D047108:Embryonic Development; D005136:Eye Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D010063:Ovum / Q000378:metabolism; D000071841:PAX6 Transcription Factor; D051761:Paired Box Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D010539:Permeability; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012403:Rotifera / Q000145:classification* / Q000196:embryology / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D005136:Eye Proteins; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D000071841:PAX6 Transcription Factor; D051761:Paired Box Transcription Factors; D012097:Repressor Proteins