Evolution of Hox genes in molluscs: a comparison among seven morphologically diverse classes

Hox genes have pivotal roles in animal body plan formation. We identified Hox genes and inferred the organizations of the Hox gene hypothetical ancestral cluster by a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) survey for the phylum Mollusca, so as to assess possible correlations with morphological diversity. All the extant classes, except for Monoplacophora, were examined, namely Solenogastres, Caudofoveata, Polyplacophora, Cephalopoda, Gastropoda,...