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Full-Text Articles in Cell and Developmental Biology
Unraveling The Genetic Mechanisms Involved In The Evolution And Development Of The Thoracic Appendages In Insects, Victor Medved
Unraveling The Genetic Mechanisms Involved In The Evolution And Development Of The Thoracic Appendages In Insects, Victor Medved
Wayne State University Dissertations
Insects display the greatest amount of structural and functional variation among animal groups, particularly in regard to their appendage morphology. These differences can range from the diverse pigmentation patterns between fore- and hindwings to changes in the size and shape of legs. The greatly enlarged jumping hind leg in crickets and grasshoppers is one of the best known illustrations of such diversity, representing a unique feature for the entire order of these insects (Orthoptera). Previous work from our lab has shown that the homeotic gene Ultrabithorax (Ubx) plays a key role in the enlargement of hind legs not only in …
Developmental Evolution Of The Visual System In The Cave-Adapted Small Carrion Beetle Ptomaphagus Hirtus, Jasmina Kulacic
Developmental Evolution Of The Visual System In The Cave-Adapted Small Carrion Beetle Ptomaphagus Hirtus, Jasmina Kulacic
Wayne State University Theses
Extensive research has been done to date on Drosophila and Tribolium eye development; however, not much is known about the molecular basis of development of extremely reduced and modified eyes in cave insects. Ptomaphagus hirtus represents an emerging model system for studying the changes at the molecular level that occurred during the evolutionary adaptation of the eye to the cave environment. Therefore, I have started exploring the morphology and organization of the reduced P. hirtus eyelet, using immunohistochemistry, laser scanning microscopy, and ultrastructural imaging approaches. My findings demonstrate that the adult eyelet lacks ommatidial subdivision and has a thick, clear …