Male pipefish have a brood pouch in which they carry and protect developing embryos. The gene patristacin plays a major role in the formation and function of the pouch. An evolutionary analysis revealed that patristacin is involved in liver and kidney function in all other fish (other male fish do not produce a brood pouch). This is an example of

Question

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Gene recruitment explains how a gene originally involved in one function (liver and kidney function in this case) can be co-opted or recruited for a new function (formation and function of the brood pouch in male pipefish).

Male Pipefish Have a Brood Pouch in Which They Carry