title: A phylotypic stage for all animals?
abstract: A new study in this issue of Developmental Cell (Levin et al., 2012) uses comparative transcriptomics and reveals a stage in nematode development that is enriched for developmental patterning genes. The molecular profile of this phylotypic stage shows similarities with those of vertebrates and flies. The findings have important evolutionary implications.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biology Leiden, Leiden University, Sylvius Laboratory, Sylviusweg 72, 2333 BE, Leiden, The Netherlands. m.k.richardson@biology.leidenuniv.nl
authors.forename: Michael K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Richardson