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Acoelomorph flatworms are deuterostomes related to Xenoturbella

Author

Listed:
  • Hervé Philippe

    (Centre Robert-Cedergren, Université de Montréal, Succursale Centre-Ville)

  • Henner Brinkmann

    (Centre Robert-Cedergren, Université de Montréal, Succursale Centre-Ville)

  • Richard R. Copley

    (Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics)

  • Leonid L. Moroz

    (University of Florida)

  • Hiroaki Nakano

    (University of Gothenburg
    Present address: Shimoda Marine Research Center, University of Tsukuba, Shimoda, Shizuoka, 415-0025, Japan.)

  • Albert J. Poustka

    (Evolution and Development Group, Max-Planck Institut für Molekulare Genetik, Ihnestrasse 73)

  • Andreas Wallberg

    (Evolutionary Biology Centre, Uppsala University, Norbyvägen 18D)

  • Kevin J. Peterson

    (Dartmouth College)

  • Maximilian J. Telford

    (Evolution and Environment, University College London, Darwin Building)

Abstract

Acoel flatworms adopt a simpler life The acoel flatworms are among the simplest animal forms, so simple that they have neither a through-gut nor a body cavity. But new molecular research has pulled them from their basal position in animal evolution, uniting them with creatures such as echinoderms (starfish, sea urchins and the like) and placing them much closer to the chordates, the group that includes humans. This follows previous revelations that Xenoturbella, a simple flatworm with mysterious evolutionary connections, also belonged to this group. The research implies that acoels are not primitively simple, as had been thought, but have become simpler with time, losing features such as a body cavity, anus and gill slits.

Suggested Citation

  • Hervé Philippe & Henner Brinkmann & Richard R. Copley & Leonid L. Moroz & Hiroaki Nakano & Albert J. Poustka & Andreas Wallberg & Kevin J. Peterson & Maximilian J. Telford, 2011. "Acoelomorph flatworms are deuterostomes related to Xenoturbella," Nature, Nature, vol. 470(7333), pages 255-258, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:470:y:2011:i:7333:d:10.1038_nature09676
    DOI: 10.1038/nature09676
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    Cited by:

    1. Tom A Williams & T Martin Embley & Eva Heinz, 2011. "Informational Gene Phylogenies Do Not Support a Fourth Domain of Life for Nucleocytoplasmic Large DNA Viruses," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 6(6), pages 1-11, June.

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