Evolution of flatworm central nervous systems: Insights from polyclads

Sigmer Y. Quiroga, E. Carolina Bonilla, D. Marcela Bolaños, Fernando Carbayo, Marian K. Litvaitis, Federico D. Brown

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch Articlepeer-review

19 Scopus citations

Abstract

The nervous systems of flatworms have diversified extensively as a consequence of the broad range of adaptations in the group. Here we examined the central nervous system (CNS) of 12 species of polyclad flatworms belonging to 11 different families by morphological and histological studies. These comparisons revealed that the overall organization and architecture of polyclad central nervous systems can be classified into three categories (I, II, and III) based on the presence of globuli cell masses -ganglion cells of granular appearance-, the cross-sectional shape of the main nerve cords, and the tissue type surrounding the nerve cords. In addition, four different cell types were identified in polyclad brains based on location and size. We also characterize the serotonergic and FMRFamidergic nervous systems in the cotylean Boninia divae by immunocytochemistry. Although both neurotransmitters were broadly expressed, expression of serotonin was particularly strong in the sucker, whereas FMRFamide was particularly strong in the pharynx. Finally, we test some of the major hypothesized trends during the evolution of the CNS in the phylum by a character state reconstruction based on current understanding of the nervous system across different species of Platyhelminthes and on up-to-date molecular phylogenies.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)233-248
Number of pages16
JournalGenetics and Molecular Biology
Volume38
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 1 2015
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

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