Meeting Abstract 16.3  Monday, Jan. 4  Neural Tube Closure: Zipper Propagation in Ascidian Embryos SEMON, Shelby N*; ROBIN, Francois; SHERRARD, Kristin; MUNRO, Edwin; Univ. of Washington, Seattle; MGCB, Univ. of Chicago; The Center for Cellular Dynamics; MGCB, Univ. of Chicago snsemon@u.washington.edu Ascidians are a member of the chordate phylum and as such they undergo many of the […]

Meeting Abstract 16.4  Monday, Jan. 4  Initiation of Neural Tube Closure in Ciona Intestinalis MONTGOMERY, M.S.*; MUNRO, E.; SHERRARD, K.; ROBIN, F.; Univ. of Washington, Seattle; Univ. of Washington, Seattle; Univ. of Washington, Seattle; Univ. of Washington, Seattle monicm2@u.washington.edu Ascidian neural tube closure (zippering) is initiated by the assembling of cells and materials at a posteriorly located […]

Meeting Abstract 16.5  Monday, Jan. 4  Computational approach to neural tube closure VELASQUEZ-CARVAJAL, D.*; SHERARD, K.M.; ROBIN, F.B.; MUNRO , E.M.; University of Washington and University of Antioquia; University of Washington; University of Washington and University of Chicago; University of Washington and University of Chicago davidvelasc@gmail.com Neural tube closure in ascidians occurs by unidirectional zippering of epithelial […]

Meeting Abstract 16.2  Monday, Jan. 4  Cell Adhesion and the Cell Biology of Gastrulation in the cnidarian, Nematostella vectensis MAGIE, Craig R.*; DALY, Marymegan; MARTINDALE, Mark Q.; California State University, Fresno; Ohio State University; University of Hawai’i cmagie@csufresno.edu Gastrulation is a central event in metazoan development and the first morphogenetic process in the embryo, resulting in the […]

Meeting Abstract 16.6  Monday, Jan. 4  Ascidian neural tube morphogenesis proceeds normally following ablation of the notochord DANAHER, B.*; MUNRO, E.; SHERRARD, K.; ROBIN, F.; University of Washington; University of Washington; University of Washington; University of Washington brooke.danaher@gmail.com Ascidian neurulation proceeds through concurrent invagination and extension of a monolayer neural plate. The underlying notochord forms simultaneously through […]

Meeting Abstract 16.3  Tuesday, Jan. 4  You are what you eat: an analysis of morphological specializations to diet in iguanian lizards. HERREL, A*; VANHOOYDONCK, B; CRUZ, F; CNRS/MNHN; University of Antwerp; CONICET anthony.herrel@mnhn.fr Small lizards are typically considered opportunistic foragers on invertebrate prey showing little or no dietary specialization. However, recent studies have demonstrated that many small-bodied […]

Meeting Abstract 16.2  Tuesday, Jan. 4  New data on the morphological changes in the pectoral fin rays during the fin to limb transition TAFT, Natalia K*; SHUBIN, Neil; LAUDER, George; University of Chicago; University of Chicago; Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University nktaft@uchicago.edu Changes to and reduction of the dermal fin rays are crucial steps in the […]

Meeting Abstract 16.1  Tuesday, Jan. 4  Hips don’t lie: How the batoid pelvic girdle shape correlates with locomotion and phylogeny MACESIC, L.J.; Florida Atlantic Univ., Boca Raton, FL ljmacesic@gmail.com Batoids (skates and rays) exhibit several forms of locomotion. To swim, they perform axial undulation, pectoral fin undulation, or pectoral fin oscillation. On the substrate, benthic batoids perform […]

Meeting Abstract 16.4  Tuesday, Jan. 4  Functional innovations in the feeding mechanism of a Bahamian pupfish radiation HERNANDEZ, LP*; MARTIN, CH; WAINWRIGHT, PC; ADRIAENS, D; MASSCHAELE, B; DIERICK, M; George Washington Univ; UC Davis; UC Davis; Ghent Univ; Ghent Univ; Ghent Univ phernand@gwu.edu Three Bahamian pupfish species (Cyprinodon spp), characterized by distinct head and body shape, reside […]

Meeting Abstract 16.5  Tuesday, Jan. 4  Complex genetic interactions for sex and color in malawi cichlids PARNELL, Nicholas*; STREELMAN, J Todd; Georgia Tech nparnell@gatech.edu The macro- and micro-evolutionary generation of novelty has long been a topic of interest in biology. Recently a line of research has focused on interspecific hybridizations as a vector for producing novel characteristics. […]