Data from: The genetic factors of bilaterian evolution

The Cambrian explosion was a unique animal radiation ~540 million years
ago that produced the full range of body plans across bilaterians. The
genetic mechanisms underlying these events are unknown, leaving a
fundamental question in evolutionary biology unanswered. Using large-scale
comparative genomics and advanced orthology evaluation techniques, we
identified 157 genes with bilaterian origin. Bilaterian innovations
include the entire Nodal pathway, a key regulator of mesoderm development
and left-right axis specification; components for nervous system
development, including a suite of G protein-coupled receptors that control
physiology and behaviour, the Robo-Slit midline repulsion system, and the
neurotrophin signalling system; a high number of zinc finger transcription
factors; and novel factors that previously escaped attention.
Contradicting the current view, our study reveals that genes with
bilaterian origin are robustly associated with key features in extant
bilaterians, suggesting a causal relationship.