Fig. 4
Expression of nanos, vasa and piwi genes in cydippid stages, approximately 18–24 hpf. (Top row) MlNanos1 remained expressed in the comb rows (cr), as well as in two parts of the tentacle bulb, an interior portion (black arrowheads), as well as a region surrounding the exterior (black arrows). (Middle row) MlVasa1 was expressed in cells adjacent to the comb rows (cr), different from that of MlNanos1. There was also expression detected in the interior part of the tentacle bulb (black arrowhead) similar to that of MlNanos1 and an additional domain in the aboral part of the tentacle bulb (white arrowhead). (Bottom row) MlPiwi1 was expressed in similar tentacular domains as MlVasa1 (white arrowhead), as well as in the pharynx, and muscle connecting the tentacle bulbs (black arrowhead)