Ebook: Molecular Evolution: Evidence for Monophyly of Metazoa

This volume concentrates on the origin of multicellular animals, Metazoa. Until now, no unequivocal phylogeny has been produced. Therefore, the questions remain: Did Metazoa evolve from the Protozoa only once, or several times? Is the origin of animals monophyletic or polyphyletic? Especially the relationships between the existing lower metazoan phyla, particularly the Porifera (sponges) are uncertain. Based on sequence data of genes typical for multicellularity it is demonstrated that all Metazoa, including Porifera, should be placed into the kingdom Animalia together with the Eumetazoa. Therefore it is most likely that all animals are of monophyletic origin.

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This volume concentrates on the origin of multicellular animals, Metazoa. Until now, no unequivocal phylogeny has been produced. Therefore, the questions remain: Did Metazoa evolve from the Protozoa only once, or several times? Is the origin of animals monophyletic or polyphyletic? Especially the relationships between the existing lower metazoan phyla, particularly the Porifera (sponges) are uncertain. Based on sequence data of genes typical for multicellularity it is demonstrated that all Metazoa, including Porifera, should be placed into the kingdom Animalia together with the Eumetazoa. Therefore it is most likely that all animals are of monophyletic origin.

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This volume concentrates on the origin of multicellular animals, Metazoa. Until now, no unequivocal phylogeny has been produced. Therefore, the questions remain: Did Metazoa evolve from the Protozoa only once, or several times? Is the origin of animals monophyletic or polyphyletic? Especially the relationships between the existing lower metazoan phyla, particularly the Porifera (sponges) are uncertain. Based on sequence data of genes typical for multicellularity it is demonstrated that all Metazoa, including Porifera, should be placed into the kingdom Animalia together with the Eumetazoa. Therefore it is most likely that all animals are of monophyletic origin.
Content:
Front Matter....Pages I-XI
Transition from Protozoa to Metazoa: An Experimental Approach....Pages 1-22
Individuality in Early Eukaryotes and the Consequences for Matazoan Development....Pages 23-43
Evolution of Animal Lectins....Pages 45-88
Molecular Phylogeny of Eumetazoa: Genes in Sponges (Porifera) Give Evidence for Monophyly of Animals....Pages 89-132
Homeobox Genes in the Freshwater Sponge....Pages 133-155
Homeobox-Containing Genes in Freshwater Sponges: Characterization, Expression, and Phylogeny....Pages 157-175
Early Evolution of the Metazoa: An Inference from the Elongation Factor-1?....Pages 177-185
Back Matter....Pages 187-189

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This volume concentrates on the origin of multicellular animals, Metazoa. Until now, no unequivocal phylogeny has been produced. Therefore, the questions remain: Did Metazoa evolve from the Protozoa only once, or several times? Is the origin of animals monophyletic or polyphyletic? Especially the relationships between the existing lower metazoan phyla, particularly the Porifera (sponges) are uncertain. Based on sequence data of genes typical for multicellularity it is demonstrated that all Metazoa, including Porifera, should be placed into the kingdom Animalia together with the Eumetazoa. Therefore it is most likely that all animals are of monophyletic origin.
Content:
Front Matter....Pages I-XI
Transition from Protozoa to Metazoa: An Experimental Approach....Pages 1-22
Individuality in Early Eukaryotes and the Consequences for Matazoan Development....Pages 23-43
Evolution of Animal Lectins....Pages 45-88
Molecular Phylogeny of Eumetazoa: Genes in Sponges (Porifera) Give Evidence for Monophyly of Animals....Pages 89-132
Homeobox Genes in the Freshwater Sponge....Pages 133-155
Homeobox-Containing Genes in Freshwater Sponges: Characterization, Expression, and Phylogeny....Pages 157-175
Early Evolution of the Metazoa: An Inference from the Elongation Factor-1?....Pages 177-185
Back Matter....Pages 187-189
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