Evolutionary crossroads in developmental biology: amphioxus
In: Development. Company of Biologists: Cambridge. ISSN 0950-1991; e-ISSN 1477-9129, more
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| Keywords |
Book/Review
Marine Sciences
Marine Sciences > Marine Genomics
Scientific Community
Scientific Publication
Marine/Coastal |
| Author keywords |
Cephalochordates; Vertebrate evolution; Branchiostoma; Amphioxus;Lancelet |
| Project | Top | Authors |
- Association of European marine biological laboratories, more
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| Abstract |
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. |
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