Understanding Hagfish Embryology

zoologists, especially in the context of vertebrate evolution. Embryological information on these animals is now also needed in the field of evolutionary developmentaT biology {Evo-Devo), as it is expected to provide hints about the origin of vertebrate traits, whether the hagfishes are an inor outgroup of vertebrates,This review summarizes the importance of hagtish embryology from a phylogenetic perspective, and the history of attempts to obtain hagfish eggs and embryos. Clearly, the main difficutty associated with these animahs is their deep-sea habitat. To circumvent this problem, this review also discusses the tuture prospects tor obtaining embryotogicat material, both from the wild and in the laboratory.