Click here to close Hello! We notice that you are using Internet Explorer, which is not supported by Echinobase and may cause the site to display incorrectly. We suggest using a current version of Chrome, FireFox, or Safari.
Echinobase
ECB-ART-43511
Front Zool 2014 May 09;11:50. doi: 10.1186/1742-9994-11-50.
Show Gene links Show Anatomy links

Development and juvenile anatomy of the nemertodermatid Meara stichopi (Bock) Westblad 1949 (Acoelomorpha).

Børve A , Hejnol A .


???displayArticle.abstract???
INTRODUCTION: Nemertodermatida is the sister group of the Acoela, which together form the Acoelomorpha, a taxon that comprises bilaterally symmetric, small aquatic worms. While there are several descriptions of the embryology of acoel species, descriptions of nemertodermatid development are scarce. To be able to reconstruct the ground pattern of the Acoelomorpha it is crucial to gain more information about the development of several nemertodermatid species. Here we describe the development of the nemertodermatid Meara stichopi using light and fluorescent microscopic methods. RESULTS: We have collected Meara stichopi during several seasons and reconstruct the complex annual reproductive cycle dependent on the sea cucumber Parastichopus tremulus. Using common fluorescent markers for musculature (BODIPY FL-phallacidin) and neurons (antibodies against FMRFamide, serotonin, tyrosinated-tubulin) and live imaging techniques, we followed embryogenesis which takes approximately 9-10 weeks. The cleavage pattern is stereotypic up to the 16-cell stage. Ring- and longitudinal musculature start to develop during week 6, followed by the formation of the basiepidermal nervous system. The juvenile is hatching without mouth opening and has a basiepidermal nerve net with two dorsal neurite bundles and an anterior condensation. CONCLUSIONS: The development of Meara stichopi differs from the development of Acoela in that it is less stereotypic and does not follow the typical acoel duet cleavage program. During late development Meara stichopi does not show a temporal anterior to posterior gradient during muscle and nervous system formation.

???displayArticle.pubmedLink??? 25024737
???displayArticle.pmcLink??? PMC4094782
???displayArticle.link??? Front Zool


Genes referenced: fmo1 LOC100887844 LOC100888622 LOC115919910 LOC115923516 LOC115925415 LOC578198 LOC590297 pole tubgcp2


???attribute.lit??? ???displayArticles.show???
References [+] :
Baguñà, The dawn of bilaterian animals: the case of acoelomorph flatworms. 2004, Pubmed