title: A PCR survey of Hox genes in the myzostomid Myzostoma cirriferum.
abstract: Using degenerate primers, we were able to identify seven Hox genes for the myzostomid Myzostoma cirriferum. The recovered fragments belong to anterior class (Mci_lab, Mci_pb), central class (Mci_Dfd, Mci_Lox5, Mci_Antp, Mci_Lox4), and posterior class (Mci_Post2) paralog groups. Orthology assignment was verified by phylogenetic analyses and presence of diagnostic regions in the homeodomain as well as flanking regions. The presence of Lox5, Lox4, and Post2 supports the inclusion of Myzostomida within Lophotrochozoa. We found signature residues within flanking regions of Lox5, which are also found in annelids, but not in Platyhelminthes. As such the available Hox genes data of myzostomids support an annelid relationship.
authors.affiliation: Unit of Evolutionary Biology/Systematic Zoology, Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Strasse 24-25, Haus 26, 14476, Potsdam-Golm, Germany. Bleidorn@uni-potsdam.de
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bleidorn
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lanterbecq
authors.forename: Igor
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Eeckhaut
authors.forename: Ralph
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tiedemann