title: The early evolution of Hox genes: a battle of belief?
abstract: For more than a century the origin of metazoan animals and for less than three years the early evolution of Hox genes has been debated. Both discussions are intrinsically tied together. New data from whole genome sequencing and recent progress in phylogeny of basal metazoans allow to provide an answer. The evolution of diploblastic animals (Placozoa, Porifera, Ctenophora and Cnidaria) and Bilateria (all higher animals) went parallel. The early split of these two lineages led to the evolution of a Hox system in Bilateria and the presence of Hox-like genes in Cnidaria and Placozoa.
authors.affiliation: ITZ, Ecology and Evolution, School of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, Germany. bernd.schierwater@ecolevol.de
authors.forename: Bernd
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Schierwater
authors.forename: Kai
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kamm
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019521:Body Patterning / Q000235:genetics; D003063:Cnidaria / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D005801:Genes, Homeobox; D008040:Genetic Linkage; D010802:Phylogeny; D054909:Placozoa / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics