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Dimorphic development in Streblospio benedicti: genetic analysis of morphological differences between larval types
Christina Zakas1, Matthew V Rockman
1Department of Biology and Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, New York University, New York, NY, USA.
The International Journal of Developmental Biology
|February 19, 2015
Summary
The marine worm Streblospio benedicti shows maternal and genetic influences on larval development. Despite potential for intermediate forms, natural selection likely maintains distinct larval types.
Area of Science:
- Developmental biology
- Evolutionary biology
- Marine ecology
Background:
- Streblospio benedicti, a marine polychaete, presents two distinct larval types.
- These larval types differ morphologically and in life history, making them a model for developmental evolution studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the inheritance patterns of key morphological traits differentiating S. benedicti larval types.
- To determine the relative contributions of maternal and zygotic factors to larval phenotypes.
Main Methods:
- Utilized genetic crosses to analyze trait inheritance.
- Examined maternal and zygotic influences on larval size and chaetae development.
Main Results:
- A significant maternal effect was observed on larval size and the number of larval chaetae.
- Zygotic genotype strongly influenced the number and length of larval chaetae.
- Crosses indicated that intermediate larval phenotypes are genetically possible.
Conclusions:
- Both maternal factors and zygotic genotype play crucial roles in determining larval morphology.
- The rarity of intermediate forms in nature, despite gene flow, suggests strong natural selection maintains distinct larval types in S. benedicti.
