It has been posited that animal development evolved from pre-existing mechanisms for
regulating cell differentiation in the single celled and colonial ancestors of animals. Although the …

Nearly all animals reproduce sexually through the production and fusion of sperm and egg
cells, yet little is known about the ancestry of animal sexual reproduction. Moreover, the …

10.7554/eLife.04070.001 The origin of animal multicellularity may be reconstructed by
comparing animals with one of their closest living relatives, the choanoflagellate Salpingoeca …

Symbionts and parasites can manipulate their hosts’ reproduction to their own benefit,
profoundly influencing patterns of mate choice and evolution of the host population. Wolbachia is …

Animals use a variety of cell-autonomous innate immune proteins to detect viral infections
and prevent replication. Recent studies have discovered that a subset of mammalian antiviral …

10.7554/eLife.41482.001 In a previous study we established forward genetics in the
choanoflagellate Salpingoeca rosetta and found that a C-type lectin gene is required for rosette …

Anthrax lethal toxin (LT) rapidly kills macrophages from certain mouse strains in a mechanism
dependent on the breakdown of unknown protein(s) by the proteasome, formation of the …

The uropygial gland of birds produces secretions that are important in maintaining the health
and structural integrity of feathers. Non-volatile components of uropygial secretions are …

Animal Toll-like receptors (TLRs) have evolved through a pattern of duplication and divergence.
Whereas mammalian TLRs directly recognize microbial ligands, Drosophila Tolls bind …

To survive in a world dominated by bacteria, eukaryotes have evolved numerous self-defense
strategies. While some defenses are recent evolutionary innovations, others are ancient, …