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Related Concept Videos

Convergent Evolution01:54

Convergent Evolution

Evolution shapes the features of organisms over time, ensuring that they are suited for the environments in which they live. Sometimes, selection pressure leads to the rise of similar but unrelated adaptations in organisms with no recent common ancestors, a process known as convergent evolution.
Gastrulation01:56

Gastrulation

Gastrulation establishes the three primary tissues of an embryo: the ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm. This developmental process relies on a series of intricate cellular movements, which in humans transforms a flat, “bilaminar disc” composed of two cell sheets into a three-tiered structure. In the resulting embryo, the endoderm serves as the bottom layer, and stacked directly above it is the intermediate mesoderm, and then the uppermost ectoderm. Respectively, these tissue strata will form...
Lampbrush Chromosomes01:51

Lampbrush Chromosomes

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Neurulation01:30

Neurulation

Neurulation is the embryological process which forms the precursors of the central nervous system and occurs after gastrulation has established the three primary cell layers of the embryo: ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm. In humans, the majority of this system is formed via primary neurulation, in which the central portion of the ectoderm—originally appearing as a flat sheet of cells—folds upwards and inwards, sealing off to form a hollow neural tube. As development proceeds, the anterior...
Development of the Sexual Organs in the Embryo and Fetus01:15

Development of the Sexual Organs in the Embryo and Fetus

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Development of Blood Vessels01:07

Development of Blood Vessels

The development of the vascular system in a fetus is a complex and intricate process that begins as early as 15 to 16 days post-conception. This process starts outside the embryo, specifically in the mesoderm of the yolk sac, chorion, and connecting stalk. Approximately two days later, the formation of blood vessels occurs within the embryo itself.
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Updated: May 21, 2026

Embryo Microinjection and Electroporation in the Chordate Ciona intestinalis
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Evolutionary crossroads in developmental biology: hemichordates.

Eric Röttinger1, Christopher J Lowe

  • 1Kewalo Marine Laboratory, Pacific Biosciences Research Center, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI 96734, USA.

Development (Cambridge, England)
|June 28, 2012
PubMed
Summary

Hemichordates, crucial for understanding deuterostome and chordate origins, offer new developmental insights. Recent advances in husbandry and genomics reveal key mechanisms in their diverse development.

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Area of Science:

  • Developmental Biology
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Zoology

Background:

  • Hemichordates represent a deuterostome phylum, sister to echinoderms and closely related to chordates.
  • Their phylogenetic position makes them vital for studying the evolution of deuterostome and chordate body plans.
  • Developmental studies in hemichordates have a long history, providing foundational knowledge.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To introduce representative hemichordate species with diverse developmental strategies.
  • To summarize recent findings from hemichordate developmental studies.
  • To highlight insights into deuterostome developmental mechanisms.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent literature and developmental data.
  • Focus on species with contrasting modes of development.
  • Integration of findings from improved animal husbandry, functional tools, and genomic resources.

Main Results:

  • Novel developmental data have emerged from several hemichordate species.
  • Recent findings are beginning to illuminate deuterostome developmental mechanisms.
  • Contrasting developmental modes in representative species are presented.

Conclusions:

  • Hemichordates are pivotal for understanding the evolution of chordate and deuterostome body plans.
  • Advances in research tools and resources are accelerating insights into hemichordate development.
  • This primer synthesizes current knowledge, paving the way for future discoveries.