Homeotic genes and diversification of the insect body plan.

The homeotic genes regulate segmental identity by repressing the formation of or influencing the morphology of segmental structures during development. The specific roles these genes have played in the generation of insect diversity are discussed relative to abdominal limb formation and to the evolution of wings as novel repeated structures. Other recent findings discussed suggest possible 'homeotic' origins for the non-homeotic genes found within the homeotic complexes of higher insects.