The separation of MIF and DDT preceded the divergence of protostomes and deuterostomes.
Two MIF paralogues and one DDT-like gene are present in the mud crab Scylla paramamosain.
Mud crab MIF family members have a three exon/two intron structure.
The MIF family is differentially expressed in tissues of adults and during development.
The MIF family is highly expressed in immune tissues, intestine and hepatopancreas.