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Article
Larval Legs of Mulberry Silkworm Bombyx mori are Prototypes for the Adult Legs
Genesis: The Journal of Genetics and Development
  • Amit Singh, University of Dayton
  • Madhuri Kango-Singh, University of Dayton
  • R. Parthasarathy, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore
  • K. P. Gopinathan, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
4-1-2007
Abstract

Morphological diversity of leg appendages is one of the hallmarks of developmental evolution. Limbs in insects may develop either from their embryonic prototypes or from imaginal discs harbored inside the larva. Bombyx mori (B. mori), a Lepidopteran insect, develops adult wings from larval wing imaginal discs. However, it has been debated whether the adult legs of B. mori arise from imaginal discs or from the larval legs. Here we addressed how the larval legs relate to their adult counterparts. We present the morphological landmarks during early leg development. We used expression of developmental genes like Distalless and extradenticle to mark leg primordia. Finally, we employed classical excision approach to develop a fate map of the adult leg. Excision and ablation of thoracic legs along proximo-distal axis at various times during larval development resulted in the loss of corresponding adult leg segments. Our data suggest that B. mori legs develop from larval appendages rather than leg imaginal discs.

ISBN/ISSN
169–176
Comments

Permission documentation is on file.

Publisher
Wiley-Liss
Peer Reviewed
Yes
Citation Information
Amit Singh, Madhuri Kango-Singh, R. Parthasarathy and K. P. Gopinathan. "Larval Legs of Mulberry Silkworm Bombyx mori are Prototypes for the Adult Legs" Genesis: The Journal of Genetics and Development Vol. 45 Iss. 4 (2007)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/madhuri_kango-singh/21/