Evolutionary crossroads in developmental biology: amphioxus.
The phylogenetic position of amphioxus, together with its relatively simple and evolutionarily conserved morphology and genome structure, has led to its use as a model for studies of vertebrate evolution. In particular, the recent development of technical approaches, as well as access to the complete amphioxus genome sequence, has provided the community with tools with which to study the invertebrate-chordate to vertebrate transition. Here, we present this animal model, discussing its life cycle, the model species studied and the experimental techniques that it is amenable to. We also summarize the major findings made using amphioxus that have informed us about the evolution of vertebrate traits.
CNRS UMR7232, UPMC Université Paris 06, Observatoire océanologique, F-66651 Banyuls-sur-Mer, France.
Stephanie
S
Bertrand
Hector
H
Escriva
D000818:Animals; D005075:Biological Evolution; D043344:Chordata / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development; D015509:Developmental Biology; D008018:Life Cycle Stages / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D023421:Models, Animal; D008954:Models, Biological; D010802:Phylogeny; D014714:Vertebrates / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development