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Abstract

Cephalopods are new evolutionary and ecological models. By their phylogenetic position (Lophotrochozoa, Mollusca), they provide a missing master piece in the whole puzzle of neurodevelopment studies. Their derived and specific nervous system but also their convergence with vertebrates offer abundant materials to question the evolution and development of the nervous system of Metazoa (evo-devo studies). In addition, their various adaptions to different modes of life open new fields of investigation of developmental plasticity according to ecological context (eco-evo-devo approach). In this paper, we review the recent works on cephalopod nervous developmental investigations. We show how cephalopods, and especially Sepia officinalis, an animal of economical interest, can be used as suitable models to extend our knowledge on cephalopod ecology and on nervous system evolution among molluscs.

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