Title: Phylo-Evo-Devo, tardigrades and insights into the evolution of segmentation
Abstract: !e concept of phylo-evo-devo highlights the benets of reciprocal illumination between
studies of phylogeny and of developmental biology when studying character evolution.
Here we consider the case of the evolution of a segmented body plan within the major
animal clade of Ecdysozoa. Specically, we consider developmental studies supporting
the homology of segmentation between Arthropoda, Onychophora and Tardigrada. In
parallel, we examine inconclusive results regarding the possible phylogenetic a#liations
of the tardigrades. If tardigrade arthropod and onychophoran segmentation is indeed
homologous, molecular phylogenies supporting a sister group relationship between
tardigrades and nematodes imply a loss of segmentation in the la$er. To progress, we
need both fully resolved phylogenies, and more developmental studies of ‘lesser’ groups
including tardigrades and even more obscure, segmented ecdysozoan clades such as the
Kinorhyncha (mud dragons).
Publication Year: 2018
Publication Date: 2018-01-01
Language: en
Type: book-chapter
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Cited By Count: 3
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