As the worm matures, it develops a stolon filled with gametes and equipped with swimming setae, ocelli, and antennae. These independent offspring set off to find a mate while the parent worm remains safe. The worm then produces another excreta for subsequent matings.
The research showed that Hox genes, which control body structure, remained unchanged in this process. “This shows how normal developmental processes change to match the life history of animals with their unique reproductive styles,” says Miura. The mystery of stolon development is being solved, but researchers now aim to understand the mechanism that determines stolon gender and the reproductive cycles of these marine creatures.
Source: Ferra
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