The Arthropod Circulatory System

Do new anatomical structures arise de novo, or do they evolve from pre-existing structures? Advances in developmental genetics, palaeontology and evolutionary developmental biology have recently shed light on the origins of some of the structures that most intrigued Charles Darwin, including animal eyes, tetrapod limbs and giant beetle horns. In each case, structures arose by the modification of pre-existing genetic regulatory circuits established in early metazoans. The deep homology of generative processes and cell-type specification mechanisms in animal development has provided the foundation for the independent evolution of a great variety of structures.

Blood vessels form an important interface between the environment and the organism by carrying oxygen and nutrients to all cells and thus determining cellular metabolism. It is therefore not surprising that oxygen and metabolism influence the development of the vascular network. Here, we discuss recent insights regarding the emerging crosstalk between angiogenesis and metabolism. We will highlight advances in how oxygen and metabolism regulate angiogenesis as well as how angiogenic factors in turn also regulate metabolism.