The genome sequence for Trichoplax adhaerens is analysed, and it is reported that the organism retains many features of the last common ancestor with cnidarians and bilaterians, estimated to be over 600 million years ago. However, T. adhaerens also contains genes for developmental patterns and cell types which have never been seen in this animal, suggesting that we might still not know the full story.
- Mansi Srivastava
- Emina Begovic
- Daniel S. Rokhsar
