[The neuronal zootype]
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Updated: Oct 10, 2026

Zebrafish In Situ Spinal Cord Preparation for Electrophysiological Recordings from Spinal Sensory and Motor Neurons
Published on: April 18, 2017
1UMR 7622, CNRS, Paris.
Abstract:
We present an hypothesis, derived from the zootype concept of Slack, Holland and Graham. The main point of this hypothesis is to postulate that the primordial function of the zootype genes is to design an appropriate neuronal network in bilaterian animals, by controlling the genes involved in the specificity of the axon pathways. This would be the primary function of the zootype genes in development and their primitive function in evolution. The hypothesis is discussed in view of the current knowledge on the Hox genes, their evolution, their genomic organisation, their expression and their targets.
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