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SUMMARY:The earliest deuterostomes\, or something else entirely? - Simon C
 onway Morris (University of Cambridge)
DTSTART:20150128T130000Z
DTEND:20150128T140000Z
UID:TALK57054@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Marcia Kishida
DESCRIPTION:Deuterostome phylogeny is now fairly secure\, with a clear-cut
  division\nbetween the Ambulacraria (echinoderms and hemichordates) and Ch
 ordata (vertebrates\, cephalochordates (aka amphioxus) and urochordates (a
 ka tunicates)). Collectively they show an impressive disparity\, such as t
 he pentaradial echinoderms and encephalized mammals. Identifying what the 
 ancestral forms looked like calls upon a diverse and sometimes problematic
  fossil record which oscillates between conviction and lunacy. Some of the
  groups are unfamiliar to the wider world\, not least the vetulicolians\, 
 yunnanozoans and vetulicystids. Others\, such as the iconic Pikaia\, are c
 hordates but show a series of puzzling features that are open to several i
 nterpretations.\nMore secure ground may be reached\, perhaps\, with fish s
 uch as Metaspriggina whose pharyngeal area suggests some cherished assumpt
 ions as to the utility of the lamprey as a model system are now ripe for r
 eassessment. And then there are the conodonts …..
LOCATION:Part II Lecture Theatre\, Department of Zoology
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