The goal of comparative developmental biology is identifying mechanistic differences in
embryonic development between different taxa and how these evolutionary changes have …

Recent developments in sequencing technologies have greatly improved our knowledge of
phylogenetic relationships and genomic architectures throughout the tree of life. Spiralia, a …

The origin of the pentaradial body plan of echinoderms from a bilateral ancestor is one of the
most enduring zoological puzzles,. Because echinoderms are defined by morphological …

The organization of genomes into chromosomes is critical for processes such as genetic
recombination, environmental adaptation, and speciation. All animals with bilateral …

Deuterostomes are a monophyletic group of animals that includes Hemichordata,
Echinodermata (together called Ambulacraria), and Chordata. The diversity of deuterostome …

Sea urchins are emblematic models in developmental biology and display several
characteristics that set them apart from other deuterostomes. To uncover the genomic cues …

Pelagic larval stages are widespread across animals, yet it is unclear whether larvae were
present in the last common ancestor of animals or whether they evolved multiple times due …

Deuterostomes are one major group of bilaterians composed by hemichordates and
echinoderms (collectively called Ambulacraria) and chordates. Comparative studies …

Bacterial symbioses allow annelids to colonise extreme ecological niches, such as
hydrothermal vents and whale falls. Yet, the genetic principles sustaining these symbioses …

Groups of orthologous genes are commonly found together on the same chromosome over
vast evolutionary distances. This extensive physical gene linkage, known as macrosynteny …