Tunicates push the limits of animal evo-devo.
The phylum to which humans belong, Chordata, takes its name from one of the major shared derived features of the group, the notochord. All chordates have a notochord, at least during embryogenesis, and there is little doubt about notochord homology at the morphological level. A study in BMC Evolutionary Biology now shows that there is greater variability in the molecular genetics underlying notochord development than previously appreciated.
The Scottish Oceans Institute, University of St Andrews, East Sands, UK. dekf@st-andrews.ac.uk
David E K
DE
Ferrier
D000818:Animals; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D005326:Fetal Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D009672:Notochord / Q000196:embryology / Q000254:growth & development; D010802:Phylogeny; D020825:T-Box Domain Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D014561:Urochordata / Q000196:embryology* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development; D000098908:Brachyury Protein
D005326:Fetal Proteins; D020825:T-Box Domain Proteins; D000098908:Brachyury Protein
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