Body blueprint genes corresponding with an animal’s “head” exist throughout starfish, whereas those linked to torsos and limbs are absent
. Most animals are “bilaterians,” having two roughly symmetrical sides divided by an invisible line running from head to tail. Starfish, however, are echinoderms—animals with lines of symmetry radiating out from a center point, like spokes on a wheel. Echinoderms evolved from bilaterian ancestors, meaning at some point they gave up on bilateral symmetry in favor of radial symmetry. Bilaterians’ genes dictate their head-to-tail configuration.
What this means is that, according to the genes behind their body plans, starfish and other echinoderms are “mostly head-like animals,” the researchers note. That raises questions about why some animals kept symmetrical limbs and others evolved to become just a head. The team hopes to find out by continuing to investigate the body blueprints of starfish cousins such as urchins and sea cucumbers.
Deutschland Neuesten Nachrichten, Deutschland Schlagzeilen
Similar News:Sie können auch ähnliche Nachrichten wie diese lesen, die wir aus anderen Nachrichtenquellen gesammelt haben.
Head Start for Healthy Body ImageA guide for mothers and daughters.
Weiterlesen »
Starfish don't have a body - they're just a big squished headGene expression patterns in starfish reveal a surprising answer to the question of how they evolved their unusual body shape
Weiterlesen »
Longtime dirt rivals Larson and Bell at last go head-to-head for NASCAR championshipThe rivalry hardly reaches the heights of Petty versus Pearson or Earnhardt against Gordon as one of NASCAR’s great competitions. But there is no doubt that dozens of dirt track battles between Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell have created an interesting dynamic ahead of Sunday’s championship.
Weiterlesen »
Romaine and Calone go head to head in Suffolk County executive raceDemocrat Dave Calone is running in hopes of bringing a different skillset to Suffolk County while Republican Ed Romaine is hoping that experience and leadership counts.
Weiterlesen »
Maryland veteran who received genetically modified pig heart transplant has died, hospital saysLawrence Faucette, a 20-year Navy veteran and a married father of two from Frederick, Maryland, has died after he underwent a highly experimental surgery for a pig heart transplant.
Weiterlesen »
The Second Person to Get a Pig Heart Transplant Just DiedLawrence Faucette died six weeks after undergoing the experimental procedure involving a genetically engineered pig organ.
Weiterlesen »