A metameric origin for the annelid pygidium?

ABSTRACT:

Background

Segmented body organizations are widely represented in the animal kingdom. Whether the last common bilaterian ancestor was already segmented is intensely debated. Annelids display broad morphological diversity but many species are among the most homonomous metameric animals. The front end (prostomium) and tail piece (pygidium) of annelids are classically described as non-segmental. However, the pygidium structure and development remain poorly studied.

Results

Using different methods of microscopy, immunolabelling and a number of molecular markers, we describe the neural and mesodermal structures of the pygidium of Platynereis dumerilii. We establish that the pygidium possesses a complicated nervous system with a nerve ring and a pair of sensory ganglia, a complex

SUBMITTER: Starunov VV 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4357181 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature