Few, if any, genes have had the same level of impact on the field of evolutionary-developmental biology (evo-devo) as the Hox genes. These genes are renowned for their roles in patterning the body plans and development of the animal kingdom. This is complemented by the distinctive organisation of these genes in the genome, with them frequently being found as clusters in which gene position is linked to when and where the individual genes are expressed, particularly during embryogenesis. This book provides the latest overviews of Hox gene organisation and function for major clades of animals from across the animal kingdom. With the rapidly increasing availability of high-quality whole genome sequences from an ever-expanding range of species, it is becoming increasingly evident that there is great diversity in the organisation of Hox genes. These great strides in genome sequencing are wedded to important developments in our ability to detect expression and disrupt gene function in species that are not traditionally genetically-amenable animals. These technical developments are integrated with wide taxon-sampling in this volume to provide new perspectives on the roles of Hox genes in understanding fundamental issues such as embryo patterning, mechanisms of gene regulation, homology, evolvability, evolutionary novelties, phylogeny, the role of gene and genome duplications in evolution, and ancestral states for major clades of animals.
Key features
- Integrative overviews from major animal groups including, arthropods, vertebrates, echinoderms, mollusks and other spiralians.
- Perspectives gleaned from the latest genome sequence and gene expression data.
- Individual chapters written by world-leading experts in Hox genes and evo-devo in each animal group.
Related Titles
Scholtz, G., ed. Evolutionary Developmental Biology of Crustacea (ISBN 978-9-0580-9637-1)
Mattick, J. & P. Amaral. RNA, The Epicenter of Genetic Information (ISBN 978-0-3675-6778-1)
Bard, J. Evolution: The Origins and Mechanisms of Diversity (ISBN 978-0-3673-5701-6)
Series Preface
Preface
About the Editor
Contributors
1. Introduction to Hox Modules in Evolution and Development
David E.K. Ferrier
2. Multiple Layers of Complexity in the Regulation of the Bithorax Complex of Drosophila
François Karch and Robert K. Maeda
3. The Role of Hox Genes in the Origins and Diversification of Beetle Horns
Eduardo E. Zattara and Armin P. Moczek
4. Duplication and Evolution of Hox Clusters in Chelicerata (Arthropoda)
Prashant P. Sharma
5. Structural Constraints in Hox Clusters: Lessons from Sharks and Rays
Shigehiro Kuraku
6. Evolution of Cyclostome Hox Clusters
Juan Pascual-Anaya and Christine Böhmer
7. Hox Genes in Echinoderms
Akihito Omori and Naoki Irie
8. Hox Genes in Mollusca
Tim Wollesen and Andreas Wanninger
9. The Evolution of Hox Genes in Spiralia
Ludwik Gąsiorowski, José M. Martín-Durán, and Andreas Hejnol
Index
Biography
Dr David E.K. Ferrier leads the Evolutionary Developmental Genomics (EDGe) group in the Scottish Oceans Institute, in the School of Biology at the University of St Andrews (UK). Dr Ferrier’s research is focused on the interplay between genome organisation and content with the evolution of animal development. Much of his research has been concentrated on the homeobox-encoding genes, such as the Hox genes, and he has published papers on these genes in species from across a wide range of the animal kingdom.
