The Development and Neuronal Complexity of Bipinnaria Larvae of the Sea Star Asterias rubens.

ABSTRACT: Free-swimming planktonic larvae are a key stage in the development of many marine phyla, and studies of these organisms have contributed to our understanding of major genetic and evolutionary processes. Although transitory, these larvae often attain a remarkable degree of tissue complexity, with well-defined musculature and nervous systems. Among the best studied are larvae belonging to the phylum Echinodermata, but with work largely focused on the pluteus larvae of sea urchins (class Echinoidea). The greatest diversity of larval strategies among echinoderms is found in the class Asteroidea (sea stars), organisms that are rapidly emerging as experimental systems for genetic and developmental studies. However, the bipinnaria larvae of sea stars have only been studied in detail in a small nu

SUBMITTER: Carter HF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8427176 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature