The insect central complex as model for heterochronic brain development-background, concepts, and tools.

ABSTRACT: The adult insect brain is composed of neuropils present in most taxa. However, the relative size, shape, and developmental timing differ between species. This diversity of adult insect brain morphology has been extensively described while the genetic mechanisms of brain development are studied predominantly in Drosophila melanogaster. However, it has remained enigmatic what cellular and genetic mechanisms underlie the evolution of neuropil diversity or heterochronic development. In this perspective paper, we propose a novel approach to study these questions. We suggest using genome editing to mark homologous neural cells in the fly D. melanogaster, the beetle Tribolium castaneum, and the Mediterranean field cricket Gryllus bimaculatus to investigate developmental differences leading to bra

SUBMITTER: Koniszewski ND 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4896989 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature