More background.

diff --git a/tags/Oikopleura.mdwn b/tags/Oikopleura.mdwn
index 18545b278707f545e2fce348b861d8126c9cf8d8..8342708cf738fa4df2f6ea652346809c13c41bab 100644 (file)
--- a/tags/Oikopleura.mdwn
+++ b/tags/Oikopleura.mdwn
@@ -3,12 +3,14 @@
 Oikopleura
 ==========
 
-_Oikopleura dioica_ is a tunicate plankton.  Thus, it belongs to the same
-"chordate" phylum as us.  Its genome is very small, as each cell only contains
-70 fg of DNA ([Animal Genome Size Database](http://www.genomesize.com/result_species.php?id=1308)).
-Each animal secretes a mucus "house" that is used for feeding (and perhaps
-defending).  The main house proteins are called _oikosins_ and half or them
-are unique to Oikopleura and related animals ("_Appendicularia_").
+_Oikopleura dioica_ is a tunicate larvacean (synonym: urochordate
+appendicularian) plankton.  Thus, it belongs to the same "chordate" phylum as
+us.  As the name indicates, it is the only _dioecious_ species of _Oikopleura_
+(that is: male and female organisms are distinct).  Its reproduction is
+_semelparous_: the animals die afer releasing its gametes.  Each animal
+secretes a mucus "house" that is used for feeding (and perhaps defending).  The
+main house proteins are called _oikosins_ and half or them are unique to
+Oikopleura and related animals ("_Appendicularia_").
 
 Some links:
 
@@ -20,6 +22,7 @@ Genome
 ------
 
  - Size estimated to 72 ± 13 Mb (min 32.6~65 Mb) by [[Seo et al, 2001|biblio/11752568]].
+ - Each cell only contains 70 fg of DNA ([Animal Genome Size Database](http://www.genomesize.com/result_species.php?id=1308)).
  - CYP1 family genes and their regulator AhR are not detectable ([[Yadetie et al, 2012|biblio/22300585]]).
  - ~80 "house proteins" have been identified and more than half lack similarity
    to known proteins ([[Hosp et al., 2012|biblio/22792236]]).