Abstract

Evolution of segmented limbs is one of the key innovations of Arthropoda, allowing development of functionally specific specialized head and trunk appendages, a major factor behind their unmatched evolutionary success. Proximodistal limb patterning is controlled by two regulatory networks in the vinegar fly Drosophila melanogaster, and other insects. The first is represented by the function of the morphogens Wingless (Wg) and Decapentaplegic (Dpp); the second by the EGFR-signaling cascade. While the role of Wg and Dpp has been studied in a wide range of arthropods representing all main branches, that is, Pancrustacea (= Hexapoda + Crustacea), Myriapoda and Chelicerata, investigation of the potential role of EGFR-signaling is restricted to insects (Hexapoda). Gene expression analysis of Egfr, its potential ligands, and putative downstream factors in the pill millipede Glomeris marginata (Myriapoda: Diplopoda), reveals that-in at least mandibulate arthropods-EGFR-signaling is likely a conserved regulatory mechanism in proximodistal limb patterning.

Highlights

  • Arthropoda comprises the largest animal phylum on the planet with estimated more than five million species and a countless number of individuals (e.g., Odegaard, 2000 and references therein)

  • Proximodistal limb patterning is controlled by two regulatory networks in the vinegar fly Drosophila melanogaster, and other insects

  • The first is represented by the function of the morphogens Wingless (Wg) and Decapentaplegic (Dpp); the second by the EGFR-signaling cascade

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Summary

| INTRODUCTION

Arthropoda comprises the largest animal phylum on the planet with estimated more than five million species and a countless number of individuals (e.g., Odegaard, 2000 and references therein). Distal morphogen-signaling appears to be somewhat different in Drosophila compared with other arthropods and onychophorans (Akiyama-Oda & Oda, 2003; Grossmann & Prpic, 2012; Janssen, Jorgensen, Prpic, & Budd, 2015; Jockusch, Nulsen, Newfeld, & Nagy, 2000; Prpic et al, 2003; Sanchez-Salazar et al, 1996; Smith, Angelini, Gaudio, & Jockusch, 2014), a circumstance that could be explained by the so-called “topology model” (Angelini & Kaufman, 2005; Prpic et al, 2003). In order to obtain a better basis for comparison, two hitherto uninvestigated limbpatterning genes of the onychophoran Euperipatoides kanangrensis were investigated

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