BIOCOMPLEXITY: Wormnet: Reconstructing The Early Evolution Of Segmented Annelid Worms

WormNet：重建节段性环节动物蠕虫的早期进化K·M·Halanych，M.Martindale，E.Seaver，D.McHugh，和联合基因组研究所(J.Boore，D.Rokhsar)EAR-0120646理解后生动物的系统发育已经被身体平面图中分段的程度和性质的解释所混淆。特别是，环节动物，俗称节段性蠕虫，一直是关于节段性在动物进化中的作用的辩论的中心。最近的证据表明，以前被认为是单独的门的几个非分段或部分分段的蠕虫分类群，在环节动物辐射范围内。这些最新的结果与迄今为止唯一全面的环节动物系统发育分析，即Rouse和Fuchald(1997)的形态分析相冲突。此外，由于环节动物是进化上最成功的“门”之一，而且它们在前寒武纪晚期至早寒武世多样化，了解它们的早期进化史对了解动物生命的进化至关重要。拟议的工作有两个目标：1)基因组方法将被用来重建“环节动物门”的早期系统发育事件，其中包括几个以前识别的门；2)功能基因组技术将被用来描述几个关键谱系中的发育机制。在系统发育的背景下解释环节动物的标志片段，将使人们对片段在动物进化中的作用和可塑性有新的见解。该项目之所以被称为“WormNet”，是因为它代表了一个由四个机构的研究人员组成的跨学科网络，以加强教育和外联活动的方式侧重于这些目标。此外，该计划旨在启动主要后生动物分支Lophotrochozoa(环节动物、软体动物、轮虫及其盟友)的其他领域的研究。将建立公开可用的cDNA库和基因组BAC文库，来自大约130个完全测序的线粒体基因组的数据将为群体遗传学和系统研究提供必要的标记。鉴于环节动物是深海(覆盖地球70%)中最丰富和无处不在的动物，作为生物指示物，在生物修复中发挥作用，并包括新兴的模式生物，了解它们进化的重要性不容小觑。

WormNet: Reconstructing the early evolution of segmented annelid worms K. M. Halanych, M. Martindale, E. Seaver, D. McHugh, and the Joint Genome Institute (J. Boore, D. Rokhsar)EAR-0120646Understanding metazoan phylogeny has been confounded by interpretations of the degree and nature of segmentation in body plans. In particular, the Annelida, commonly called segmented worms, has been central to debates on the role of segmentation in animal evolution. Recent evidence suggests that several non-segmented or partially segmented worm taxa, that were previously regarded as separate phyla, are within the annelid radiation. These recent results conflict with the only comprehensive phylogenetic analyses to date on the annelids, the morphological analyses of Rouse and Fauchald (1997). Furthermore, because annelids are one of the most evolutionarily successful "phyla" and because they diversified in the late PreCambrian to early Cambrian, understanding their early evolutionary history is paramount to understanding the evolution of animal life. The proposed work has two goals: 1) Genomic approaches will be used to reconstruct the early phylogenetic events of the "Annelida", which includes several previously recognized phyla, and 2) Functional genomic techniques will be used to characterize the developmental mechanisms employed in segmentation in several key lineages. Interpreting the segmentation, a hallmark of annelids, in the context of the phylogeny will allow novel insights on the role and plasticity of segmentation during animal evolution. This project has been called "WormNet" because it represents an interdisciplinary network of researchers, at four institutions, focusing on these goals in a manner that enhances education and outreach activities. Additionally, this program is designed to jumpstart other areas of research in the major metazoan clade Lophotrochozoa (annelids, mollusks, lophophorates, and their allies). Publicly available cDNA and genomic BAC libraries will be produced, and data from approximately 130 completely sequenced mitochondrial genomes will provide needed markers for population genetic and systematic studies. Given that annelids are the most abundant and ubiquitous animal "phlyum" in the deep sea (which covers 70% of the planet), serve as bioindicators, have a role in bioremediation, and include up-and-coming model organisms, the importance of understanding their evolution cannot be understated.