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Flatfish: an asymmetric perspective on metamorphosis.

Alexander M Schreiber1

  • 1Laboratory of Vertebrate Metamorphosis, St. Lawrence University, Biology Department, Canton, New York, USA. aschreiber@stlawu.edu

Current Topics in Developmental Biology
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Summary

Flatfish exhibit extreme asymmetry due to a unique metamorphic remodeling phase, controlled by thyroid hormone. This developmental process involves re-expression of embryonic gene pathways and recapitulates evolutionary history.

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Area of Science:

  • Developmental Biology
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Comparative Anatomy

Background:

  • Flatfish are vertebrates known for their extreme asymmetry and behavioral lateralization.
  • Unlike most vertebrates, flatfish undergo a secondary asymmetric remodeling during metamorphosis.
  • This process deviates significantly from the typical bilateral symmetry seen in vertebrates.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the developmental biology of flatfish metamorphosis.
  • To understand the genetic, morphological, and behavioral origins of flatfish asymmetry.
  • To investigate the evolutionary implications of flatfish developmental processes.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current knowledge on flatfish metamorphosis.
  • Analysis of gene expression patterns during larval development.
  • Comparative study of ontogeny and phylogeny.

Main Results:

  • Flatfish metamorphosis involves thyroid hormone-controlled developmental programs.
  • Key embryonic gene pathways (nodal-lefty-pitx2) are re-expressed during metamorphosis.
  • Metamorphic changes, like eye migration, mirror phylogenetic patterns.

Conclusions:

  • Flatfish asymmetry arises from a distinct postembryonic remodeling phase.
  • The developmental pathways highlight a link between ontogeny and phylogeny.
  • Thyroid hormone plays a crucial role in orchestrating these asymmetric developmental processes.