Zoology: War of the Worms

Maximilian J Telford; Richard R Copley

doi:10.1016/j.cub.2016.03.015

Zoology: War of the Worms

Curr Biol. 2016 Apr 25;26(8):R335-7. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2016.03.015.

Authors

Maximilian J Telford¹, Richard R Copley²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, Darwin Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK. Electronic address: m.telford@ucl.ac.uk.
² Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, CNRS, Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement de Villefranche-sur-mer (LBDV), 181 chemin du Lazaret, 06230 Villefranche-sur-mer, France.

PMID: 27115693
DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2016.03.015

Abstract

The phylogenetic affinities of Xenacoelomorpha - the phylum comprising Xenoturbella bocki and acoelomorph worms - are debated. Two recent studies conclude they represent the earliest branching bilaterally symmetrical animals, but additional tests may be needed to confirm this notion.

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MeSH terms

Animals
Biological Evolution*
Models, Biological*
Phylogeny*
Turbellaria / classification
Turbellaria / genetics*