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Xenoturbella bocki exhibits direct development with similarities to Acoelomorpha

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  • Hiroaki Nakano

    (University of Gothenburg, Kristineberg 566, SE-451 78 Fiskebäckskil, Sweden
    Shimoda Marine Research Center, University of Tsukuba)

  • Kennet Lundin

    (Göteborg Natural History Museum, Box 7283, SE-402 35 Göteborg, Sweden)

  • Sarah J. Bourlat

    (University of Gothenburg, Kristineberg 566, SE-451 78 Fiskebäckskil, Sweden
    Swedish Museum of Natural History, Box 50007, SE-104 05 Stockholm, Sweden)

  • Maximilian J. Telford

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

  • Peter Funch

    (Aarhus University)

  • Jens R. Nyengaard

    (Stereology and Electron Microscopy Laboratory, Centre for Stochastic Geometry and Advanced Bioimaging, Aarhus University Hospital)

  • Matthias Obst

    (University of Gothenburg, Kristineberg 566, SE-451 78 Fiskebäckskil, Sweden)

  • Michael C. Thorndyke

    (University of Gothenburg, Kristineberg 566, SE-451 78 Fiskebäckskil, Sweden
    The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, Sven Lovén Centre for Marine Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Kristineberg 566, SE-451 78 Fiskebäckskil, Sweden)

Abstract

Xenoturbella bocki, a marine animal with a simple body plan, has recently been suggested to be sister group to the Acoelomorpha, together forming the new phylum Xenacoelomorpha. The phylogenetic position of the phylum is still under debate, either as an early branching bilaterian or as a sister group to the Ambulacraria (hemichordates and echinoderms) within the deuterostomes. Although development has been described for several species of Acoelomorpha, little is known about the life cycle of Xenoturbella. Here we report the embryonic stages of Xenoturbella, and show that it is a direct developer without a feeding larval stage. This mode of development is similar to that of the acoelomorphs, supporting the newly proposed phylum Xenacoelomorpha and suggesting that the last common ancestor of the phylum might have been a direct developer.

Suggested Citation

  • Hiroaki Nakano & Kennet Lundin & Sarah J. Bourlat & Maximilian J. Telford & Peter Funch & Jens R. Nyengaard & Matthias Obst & Michael C. Thorndyke, 2013. "Xenoturbella bocki exhibits direct development with similarities to Acoelomorpha," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 4(1), pages 1-6, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:4:y:2013:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms2556
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms2556
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