Evolution of Vertebrate Limb Morphology

Hox genes and the evolution of vertebrate axial morphology.

A common form of evolutionary variation between vertebrate taxa is the different numbers of segments that contribute to various regions of the anterior-posterior axis; cervical vertebrae, thoracic vertebrae, etc. The term 'transposition' is used to describe this phenomenon. Genetic experiments with homeotic genes in mice have demonstrated that Hox genes are in part responsible for the specifica...

Functional Vertebrate Morphology

past the age of childbearing. Apparently, it is also a practice among some doctors to propose removal of a normal breast in women who must have the other removed because of cancer. Again, there is little evidence to support or refute the value of this operation. Even well-patient care is opened to scrutiny. The widespread use of screening tests such as the Pap smear, X-rays, tonometry, and brea...

International Congress of Vertebrate Morphology

Lhx2, a vertebrate homologue of apterous, regulates vertebrate limb outgrowth.

apterous specifies dorsal cell fate and directs outgrowth of the wing during Drosophila wing development. Here we show that, in vertebrates, these functions appear to be performed by two separate proteins. Lmx-1 is necessary and sufficient to specify dorsal identity and Lhx2 regulates limb outgrowth. Our results suggest that Lhx2 is closer to apterous than Lmx-1, yet, in vertebrates, Lhx2 does ...

Evolution of Vertebrate Immunity

All multicellular organisms protect themselves against pathogens using sophisticated immune defenses. Functionally interconnected humoral and cellular facilities maintain immune homeostasis in the absence of overt infection and regulate the initiation and termination of immune responses directed against pathogens. Immune responses of invertebrates, such as flies, are innate and usually stereoty...