The evolution of developmental strategy in marine invertebrates

G A Wray; R A Raff

doi:10.1016/0169-5347(91)90121-D

The evolution of developmental strategy in marine invertebrates

Trends Ecol Evol. 1991 Feb;6(2):45-50. doi: 10.1016/0169-5347(91)90121-D.

Authors

G A Wray¹, R A Raff

Affiliation

¹ Gregory Wray is at the Friday Harbor Laboratories, University of Washington, Friday Harbor, WA 98250, USA.

PMID: 21232422
DOI: 10.1016/0169-5347(91)90121-D

Abstract

Developmental mode varies widely in most animal phyla. These differences in developmental strategy exert a profound influence on the ecology and evolution of closely related species. The mechanistic alterations in ontogeny that lead to switches in developmental mode are coming under increasing scrutiny. Echinoids are one of the best-understood groups in this regard. Parallel modifications in direct-developing echinoids point to some of the key changes in oogenesis and embryogenesis that produce switches in developmental mode.