Domains of movement in the zebrafish gastrula

Abstract

The mechanisms controlling cell movements during vertebrate gastrulation are not known. Studies using the zebrafish embryo show promise at identifying these mechanisms, combining an embryo that is accessible and optically clear with mutations that affect early development. In this article we describe the movements of cells during the midblastula, early epiboly and gastrulation stages of the zebrafish, correlating 'domains of movement' with embryonic morphology. We suggest that these domains of movement may parallel the 'zones of movement' of Xenopus.