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Núñez‐León D, Nagashima H, Sánchez‐Villagra MR. Chondrocranial variation in chicken domestication. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY PART B: MOLECULAR AND DEVELOPMENTAL EVOLUTION 2022; 338:505-515. [DOI: 10.1002/jez.b.23177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Núñez‐León
- Paleontological Institute and Museum University of Zurich Zürich Switzerland
| | - Hiroshi Nagashima
- Division of Anatomy Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences Niigata Japan
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2
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Beck RM, Voss RS, Jansa SA. Craniodental Morphology and Phylogeny of Marsupials. BULLETIN OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY 2022. [DOI: 10.1206/0003-0090.457.1.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Robin M.D. Beck
- School of Science, Engineering and Environment University of Salford, U.K. School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences University of New South Wales, Australia Division of Vertebrate Zoology (Mammalogy) American Museum of Natural History
| | - Robert S. Voss
- Division of Vertebrate Zoology (Mammalogy) American Museum of Natural History
| | - Sharon A. Jansa
- Bell Museum and Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior University of Minnesota
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3
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Duhamel A, Benoit J, Day M, Rubidge B, Fernandez V. Computed Tomography elucidates ontogeny within the basal therapsid clade Biarmosuchia. PeerJ 2021; 9:e11866. [PMID: 34527434 PMCID: PMC8403480 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.11866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Biarmosuchia is a clade of basal therapsids that includes forms possessing plesiomorphic ‘pelycosaurian’ cranial characters as well as the highly derived Burnetiamorpha which are characterised by cranial pachyostosis and a variety of cranial bosses. Potential ontogenetic variation in these structures has been suggested based on growth series of other therapsids with pachyostosed crania, which complicates burnetiamorph taxonomic distinction and thus it is essential to better understand cranial ontogeny of the Burnetiamorpha. Here, three new juvenile biarmosuchian skulls from the late Permian of South Africa are described using X-ray micro computed tomography (CT). We found that juvenile biarmosuchians are distinguished from adults by their relatively large orbits, open cranial sutures, and incomplete ossification of the braincase and bony labyrinth. Also, they manifest multiple centres of ossification within the parietal and preparietal bones. CT examination reveals that the holotype of Lemurosaurus pricei (BP/1/816), previously alleged to be a juvenile, shows no evidence of juvenility and is thus probably an adult. This suggests that the larger skull NMQR 1702, previously considered to be an adult L. pricei, may represent a new taxon. This study provides, for the first time, a list of characters by which to recognise juvenile biarmosuchians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aliénor Duhamel
- ENS de Lyon, CNRS, UMR 5276, LGL-TPE, Université Claude Bernard (Lyon I), Lyon, France.,Evolutionary Studies Institute, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.,School of Geosciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Julien Benoit
- Evolutionary Studies Institute, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.,School of Geosciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Michael Day
- Evolutionary Studies Institute, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.,Department of Earth Sciences, Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom
| | - Bruce Rubidge
- Evolutionary Studies Institute, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.,School of Geosciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Vincent Fernandez
- Department of Earth Sciences, Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom.,European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Grenoble, France
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4
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Cook LE, Newton AH, Hipsley CA, Pask AJ. Postnatal development in a marsupial model, the fat-tailed dunnart (Sminthopsis crassicaudata; Dasyuromorphia: Dasyuridae). Commun Biol 2021; 4:1028. [PMID: 34475507 PMCID: PMC8413461 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-02506-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Marsupials exhibit unique biological features that provide fascinating insights into many aspects of mammalian development. These include their distinctive mode of reproduction, altricial stage at birth, and the associated heterochrony that is required for their crawl to the pouch and teat attachment. Marsupials are also an invaluable resource for mammalian comparative biology, forming a distinct lineage from the extant placental and egg-laying monotreme mammals. Despite their unique biology, marsupial resources are lagging behind those available for placentals. The fat-tailed dunnart (Sminthopsis crassicaudata) is a laboratory based marsupial model, with simple and robust husbandry requirements and a short reproductive cycle making it amenable to experimental manipulations. Here we present a detailed staging series for the fat-tailed dunnart, focusing on their accelerated development of the forelimbs and jaws. This study provides the first skeletal developmental series on S. crassicaudata and provides a fundamental resource for future studies exploring mammalian diversification, development and evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura E Cook
- School of Biosciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Axel H Newton
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Christy A Hipsley
- School of Biosciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Sciences, Museums Victoria, Carlton, VIC, Australia
| | - Andrew J Pask
- School of Biosciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
- Department of Sciences, Museums Victoria, Carlton, VIC, Australia.
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5
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Shelley SL, Bertrand OC, Brusatte SL, Williamson TE. Petrosal Anatomy of the Paleocene Eutherian Mammal Deltatherium fundaminis (Cope, 1881). J MAMM EVOL 2021; 28:1161-1180. [PMID: 34483638 PMCID: PMC8406390 DOI: 10.1007/s10914-021-09568-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
We describe the tympanic anatomy of the petrosal of Deltatherium fundaminis, an enigmatic Paleocene mammal based on cranial specimens recovered from New Mexico, U.S.A. Although the ear region of Deltatherium has previously been described, there has not been a comprehensive, well-illustrated contribution using current anatomical terminology. The dental and cranial anatomy of Deltatherium is a chimera, with morphological similarities to both ‘condylarth’ and ‘cimolestan’ taxa. As such, the phylogenetic relationships of this taxon have remained elusive since its discovery, and it has variably been associated with Arctocyonidae, Pantodonta and Tillodontia. The petrosal of Deltatherium is anteriorly bordered by an open space comprising a contiguous carotid opening and pyriform fenestra. The promontorium features both a small rostral tympanic process and small epitympanic wing but lacks well-marked sulci. A large ventral facing external aperture of the canaliculus cochleae is present and bordered posteriorly by a well-developed caudal tympanic process. The hiatus Fallopii opens on the ventral surface of the petrosal. The tegmen tympani is mediolaterally broad and anteriorly expanded, and its anterior margin is perforated by a foramen for the ramus superior of the stapedial artery. The tympanohyal is small but approximates the caudal tympanic process to nearly enclose the stylomastoid notch. The mastoid is widely exposed on the basicranium and bears an enlarged mastoid process, separate from the paraoccipital process. These new observations provide novel anatomical data corroborating previous hypotheses regarding the plesiomorphic eutherian condition but also reveal subtle differences among Paleocene eutherians that have the potential to help inform the phylogeny of Deltatherium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah L Shelley
- School of GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.,Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania United States of America
| | - Ornella C Bertrand
- School of GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen L Brusatte
- School of GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.,New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science, Albuquerque, New Mexico United States of America
| | - Thomas E Williamson
- New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science, Albuquerque, New Mexico United States of America
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6
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Olroyd SL, LeBlanc ARH, Araújo R, Angielczyk KD, Duhamel A, Benoit J, Amaral M. Histology and μCT reveal the unique evolution and development of multiple tooth rows in the synapsid Endothiodon. Sci Rep 2021; 11:16875. [PMID: 34413357 PMCID: PMC8377087 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-95993-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Several amniote lineages independently evolved multiple rows of marginal teeth in response to the challenge of processing high fiber plant matter. Multiple tooth rows develop via alterations to tooth replacement in captorhinid reptiles and ornithischian dinosaurs, but the specific changes that produce this morphology differ, reflecting differences in their modes of tooth attachment. To further understand the mechanisms by which multiple tooth rows can develop, we examined this feature in Endothiodon bathystoma, a member of the only synapsid clade (Anomodontia) to evolve a multi-rowed marginal dentition. We histologically sampled Endothiodon mandibles with and without multiple tooth rows as well as single-rowed maxillae. We also segmented functional and replacement teeth in µ-CT scanned mandibles and maxillae of Endothiodon and several other anomodonts with 'postcanine' teeth to characterize tooth replacement in the clade. All anomodonts in our sample displayed a space around the tooth roots for a soft tissue attachment between tooth and jaw in life. Trails of alveolar bone indicate varying degrees of labial migration of teeth through ontogeny, often altering the spatial relationships of functional and replacement teeth in the upper and lower jaws. We present a model of multiple tooth row development in E. bathystoma in which labial migration of functional teeth was extensive enough to prevent resorption and replacement by newer generations of teeth. This model represents another mechanism by which multiple tooth rows evolved in amniotes. The multiple tooth rows of E. bathystoma may have provided more extensive contact between the teeth and a triturating surface on the palatine during chewing.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Aaron R H LeBlanc
- Centre for Oral, Clinical & Translational Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Ricardo Araújo
- Instituto de Plasmas e Fusão Nuclear, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Kenneth D Angielczyk
- Negaunee Integrative Research Center, Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, USA
| | - Aliénor Duhamel
- Evolutionary Studies Institute, School of Geosciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Julien Benoit
- Evolutionary Studies Institute, School of Geosciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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7
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Kraatz B, Belabbas R, Fostowicz-Frelik Ł, Ge DY, Kuznetsov AN, Lang MM, López-Torres S, Mohammadi Z, Racicot RA, Ravosa MJ, Sharp AC, Sherratt E, Silcox MT, Słowiak J, Winkler AJ, Ruf I. Lagomorpha as a Model Morphological System. Front Ecol Evol 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2021.636402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Due to their global distribution, invasive history, and unique characteristics, European rabbits are recognizable almost anywhere on our planet. Although they are members of a much larger group of living and extinct mammals [Mammalia, Lagomorpha (rabbits, hares, and pikas)], the group is often characterized by several well-known genera (e.g., Oryctolagus, Sylvilagus, Lepus, and Ochotona). This representation does not capture the extraordinary diversity of behavior and form found throughout the order. Model organisms are commonly used as exemplars for biological research, but there are a limited number of model clades or lineages that have been used to study evolutionary morphology in a more explicitly comparative way. We present this review paper to show that lagomorphs are a strong system in which to study macro- and micro-scale patterns of morphological change within a clade that offers underappreciated levels of diversity. To this end, we offer a summary of the status of relevant aspects of lagomorph biology.
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8
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Smith TD, Ufelle AC, Cray JJ, Rehorek SB, DeLeon VB. Inward collapse of the nasal cavity: Perinatal consolidation of the midface and cranial base in primates. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2020; 304:939-957. [PMID: 33040450 DOI: 10.1002/ar.24537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Revised: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Living primates show a complex trend in reduction of nasal cavity spaces and structures due to moderate to severe constraint on interorbital breadth. Here we describe the ontogeny of the posterior end of the primate cartilaginous nasal capsule, the thimble shaped posterior nasal cupula (PNC), which surrounds the hind end of the olfactory region. We used a histologically sectioned sample of strepsirrhine primates and two non-primates (Tupaia belangeri, Rousettus leschenaulti), and histochemical and immunohistochemical methods to study the PNC in a perinatal sample. At birth, most strepsirrhines possess only fragments of PNC, and these lack a perichondrium. Fetal specimens of several species reveal a more complete PNC, but the cartilage exhibits uneven or weak reactivity to type II collagen antibodies. Moreover, there is relatively less matrix than in the septal cartilage, resulting in clustering of chondrocytes, some of which are in direct contact with adjacent connective tissues. In one primate (Varecia spp.) and both non-primates, the PNC has a perichondrium at birth. In older, infant Varecia and Rousettus, the perichondrium of the PNC is absent, and PNC fragmentation at its posterior pole has occurred in the former. Loss of the perichondrium for the PNC appears to precede resorption of the posterior end of the nasal capsule. These results suggest that the consolidation of the basicranial and facial skeletons happens ontogenetically earlier in primates than other mammals. We hypothesize that early loss of cartilage at the sphenoethmoidal articulation limits chondral mechanisms for nasal complexity, such as interstitial expansion or endochondral ossification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy D Smith
- School of Physical Therapy, Slippery Rock University, Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Alexander C Ufelle
- Department of Public Health and Social Work, Slippery Rock University, Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - James J Cray
- Department of Biomedical Education and Anatomy, The Ohio State College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio, USA.,Division of Biosciences, The Ohio State College of Dentistry, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Susan B Rehorek
- Department of Biology, Slippery Rock University, Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Valerie B DeLeon
- Department of Anthropology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
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9
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Pitirri MK, Kawasaki K, Richtsmeier JT. It takes two: Building the vertebrate skull from chondrocranium and dermatocranium. VERTEBRATE ZOOLOGY 2020; 70:587-600. [PMID: 33163116 PMCID: PMC7644101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
In most modern bony vertebrates, a considerable portion of the chondrocranium remains cartilaginous only during a relatively small window of embryonic development, making it difficult to study this complex structure. Yet, the transient nature of some chondrocranial elements is precisely why it is so intriguing. Since the chondrocranium has never been lost in any vertebrate, its function is critical to craniofacial development, disease, and evolution. Experimental evidence for the various roles of the chondrocranium is limited, and though snapshots of chondrocranial development in various species at isolated time points are valuable and informative, these cannot provide the data needed to determine the functions of the chondrocranium, or its relationship to the dermatocranium in evolution, in development, or in disease. Observations of the spatiotemporal associations of chondrocranial cartilage, cartilage bone, and dermal bone over early developmental time are available for many vertebrate species and these observations represent the data from which we can build hypotheses. The testing of those hypotheses requires precise control of specific variables like developmental time and molecular signaling that can only be accomplished in a laboratory setting. Here, we employ recent advances in contrast-enhanced micro computed tomography to provide novel 3D reconstructions of the embryonic chondrocranium in relation to forming dermal and cartilage bones in laboratory mice across three embryonic days (E13.5, E14.5, and E15.5). Our observations provide support for the established hypothesis that the vertebrate dermal (exo-) skeleton and endoskeleton evolved as distinct structures and remain distinct. Additionally, we identify spatiotemporal patterning in the development of the lateral wall, roof, and braincase floor of the chondrocranium and the initial mineralization and growth of the bones associated with these cartilages that provides support for the hypothesis that the chondrocranium serves as a scaffold for developing dermatocranial bones. The experimental protocols described and data presented provide tools for further experimental work on chondrocranial development.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Kathleen Pitirri
- Department of Anthropology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Kazuhiko Kawasaki
- Department of Anthropology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Joan T Richtsmeier
- Department of Anthropology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, USA
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10
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dos Santos ÍGD, de Oliveira Mendes TA, Silva GAB, Reis AMS, Monteiro-Vitorello CB, Schaker PDC, Herai RH, Fabotti ABC, Coutinho LL, Jorge EC. Didelphis albiventris: an overview of unprecedented transcriptome sequencing of the white-eared opossum. BMC Genomics 2019; 20:866. [PMID: 31730444 PMCID: PMC6858782 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-019-6240-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2019] [Accepted: 10/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The white-eared opossum (Didelphis albiventris) is widely distributed throughout Brazil and South America. It has been used as an animal model for studying different scientific questions ranging from the restoration of degraded green areas to medical aspects of Chagas disease, leishmaniasis and resistance against snake venom. As a marsupial, D. albiventris can also contribute to the understanding of the molecular mechanisms that govern the different stages of organogenesis. Opossum joeys are born after only 13 days, and the final stages of organogenesis occur when the neonates are inside the pouch, depending on lactation. As neither the genome of this opossum species nor its transcriptome has been completely sequenced, the use of D. albiventris as an animal model is limited. In this work, we sequenced the D. albiventris transcriptome by RNA-seq to obtain the first catalogue of differentially expressed (DE) genes and gene ontology (GO) annotations during the neonatal stages of marsupial development. RESULTS The D. albiventris transcriptome was obtained from whole neonates harvested at birth (P0), at 5 days of age (P5) and at 10 days of age (P10). The de novo assembly of these transcripts generated 85,338 transcripts. Approximately 30% of these transcripts could be mapped against the amino acid sequences of M. domestica, the evolutionarily closest relative of D. albiventris to be sequenced thus far. Among the expressed transcripts, 2077 were found to be DE between P0 and P5, 13,780 between P0 and P10, and 1453 between P5 and P10. The enriched GO terms were mainly related to the immune system, blood tissue development and differentiation, vision, hearing, digestion, the CNS and limb development. CONCLUSIONS The elucidation of opossum transcriptomes provides an out-group for better understanding the distinct characteristics associated with the evolution of mammalian species. This study provides the first transcriptome sequences and catalogue of genes for a marsupial species at different neonatal stages, allowing the study of the mechanisms involved in organogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Íria Gabriela Dias dos Santos
- Departamento de Morfologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais Brazil
| | | | - Gerluza Aparecida Borges Silva
- Departamento de Morfologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais Brazil
| | - Amanda Maria Sena Reis
- Departamento de Morfologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais Brazil
| | | | - Patricia Dayane Carvalho Schaker
- Departamento de Genética, Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz, Universidade de São Paulo, Piracicaba, São Paulo Brazil
| | - Roberto Hirochi Herai
- Graduate Program in Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná (PUCPR), Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
| | | | - Luiz Lehmann Coutinho
- Departamento de Zootecnia, Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz, Universidade de São Paulo, Piracicaba, São Paulo Brazil
| | - Erika Cristina Jorge
- Departamento de Morfologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais Brazil
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11
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A Nearly Complete Juvenile Skull of the Marsupial Sparassocynus derivatus from the Pliocene of Argentina, the Affinities of “Sparassocynids”, and the Diversification of Opossums (Marsupialia; Didelphimorphia; Didelphidae). J MAMM EVOL 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s10914-019-09471-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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12
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Forasiepi AM, Macphee RD, Pino SHD. Caudal Cranium of Thylacosmilus atrox (Mammalia, Metatheria, Sparassodonta), a South American Predaceous Sabertooth. BULLETIN OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY 2019. [DOI: 10.1206/0003-0090.433.1.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Ross D.E. Macphee
- Department of Mammalogy, American Museum of Natural History, New York
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13
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Jones MEH, Button DJ, Barrett PM, Porro LB. Digital dissection of the head of the rock dove ( Columba livia) using contrast-enhanced computed tomography. ZOOLOGICAL LETTERS 2019; 5:17. [PMID: 31205748 PMCID: PMC6558907 DOI: 10.1186/s40851-019-0129-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2019] [Accepted: 04/09/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The rock dove (or common pigeon), Columba livia, is an important model organism in biological studies, including research focusing on head muscle anatomy, feeding kinematics, and cranial kinesis. However, no integrated computer-based biomechanical model of the pigeon head has yet been attempted. As an initial step towards achieving this goal, we present the first three-dimensional digital dissection of the pigeon head based on a contrast-enhanced computed tomographic dataset achieved using iodine potassium iodide as a staining agent. Our datasets enable us to visualize the skeletal and muscular anatomy, brain and cranial nerves, and major sense organs of the pigeon, including very small and fragile features, as well as maintaining the three-dimensional topology of anatomical structures. This work updates and supplements earlier anatomical work on this widely used laboratory organism. We resolve several key points of disagreement arising from previous descriptions of pigeon anatomy, including the precise arrangement of the external adductor muscles and their relationship to the posterior adductor. Examination of the eye muscles highlights differences between avian taxa and shows that pigeon eye muscles are more similar to those of a tinamou than they are to those of a house sparrow. Furthermore, we present our three-dimensional data as publicly accessible files for further research and education purposes. Digital dissection permits exceptional visualisation and will be a valuable resource for further investigations into the head anatomy of other bird species, as well as efforts to reconstruct soft tissues in fossil archosaurs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc E. H. Jones
- Department of Earth Sciences, Natural History Museum, London, SW7 5BD UK
| | - David J. Button
- Department of Earth Sciences, Natural History Museum, London, SW7 5BD UK
| | - Paul M. Barrett
- Department of Earth Sciences, Natural History Museum, London, SW7 5BD UK
| | - Laura B. Porro
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, UCL, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT UK
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14
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Hüppi E, Sánchez-Villagra MR, Tzika AC, Werneburg I. Ontogeny and phylogeny of the mammalian chondrocranium: the cupula nasi anterior and associated structures of the anterior head region. ZOOLOGICAL LETTERS 2018; 4:29. [PMID: 30505462 PMCID: PMC6260904 DOI: 10.1186/s40851-018-0112-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2018] [Accepted: 10/26/2018] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The study of chondrocrania has a long tradition with a focus on single specimens and stages. It revealed great interspecific diversity and a notion of intraspecific variation. As an embryonic structure, the chondrocranium is subject to major changes in ontogeny with resorption and ossification of different cartilaginous structures. The cupula nasi anterior is the anteriormost portion of the cartilaginous nasal capsule and is expected to mirror much of the animal's life history and lifestyle. Its diversity in mammals is reflected in the external nasal anatomy of newborns. Marsupials and placentals show marked differences, likely related to breathing and suckling behavior. RESULTS We examined histological sections of five marsupial and three placentals species and traced the development of the cupula nasi anterior and the anterior nasal capsule. We found ontogenetic variation for nearly 50% of the 43 characters defined herein. By comparing to the literature and considering ontogenetic variation, we performed an analysis of character evolution in 70 mammalian species and reconstructed the nasal anatomy of the therian ancestor. CONCLUSIONS At birth, marsupials have a complete but simple cupula nasi anterior, whereas placentals display a more diverse morphology due to reductions and variations of chondrocranial elements. The more compact nasal capsule in marsupials is related to a long and strong fixation to the mother's teat after birth. Within marsupials and placentals, several derived characters distinguish major taxa, probably related to developmental and functional constraints. The reconstructed ancestral anatomy of the cupula nasi anterior supports the hypothesis that the therian ancestor was placental-like and that the marsupial lifestyle is more derived.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evelyn Hüppi
- Paläontologisches Institut und Museum der Universität Zürich, Karl-Schmid-Strasse 4, 8006 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Marcelo R. Sánchez-Villagra
- Paläontologisches Institut und Museum der Universität Zürich, Karl-Schmid-Strasse 4, 8006 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Athanasia C. Tzika
- Laboratory of Artificial & Natural Evolution (LANE), Department of Genetics & Evolution, University of Geneva, Quai E. Ansermet 30, 1205 Genève, Switzerland
| | - Ingmar Werneburg
- Senckenberg Center for Human Evolution and Palaeoenvironment (HEP) at Eberhard Karls Universität, Sigwartstraße 10, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- Fachbereich Geowissenschaften der Eberhard-Karls-Universität Tübingen, Hölderlinstraße 12, 72074 Tübingen, Germany
- Museum für Naturkunde, Leibniz-Institut für Evolutions- & Biodiversitätsforschung an der Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Invalidenstraße 43, 10115 Berlin, Germany
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Werneburg I, Yaryhin O. Character definition and tempus optimum in comparative chondrocranial research. ACTA ZOOL-STOCKHOLM 2018. [DOI: 10.1111/azo.12260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ingmar Werneburg
- Senckenberg Center for Human Evolution and Palaeoenvironment (HEP); Eberhard-Karls-Universität; Tübingen Germany
- Fachbereich Geowissenschaften der; Eberhard-Karls-Universität Tübingen; Tübingen Germany
- Museum für Naturkunde; Leibniz-Institut für Evolutions- & Biodiversitätsforschung an der; Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin; Berlin Germany
| | - Oleksandr Yaryhin
- Senckenberg Center for Human Evolution and Palaeoenvironment (HEP); Eberhard-Karls-Universität; Tübingen Germany
- Fachbereich Geowissenschaften der; Eberhard-Karls-Universität Tübingen; Tübingen Germany
- I.I. Schmalhausen Institute of Zoology; National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine; Kyiv Ukraine
- Department of Zoology; Faculty of Biology; Lesya Ukrainka Eastern European National University; Lutsk Volyns'ka oblast’ Ukraine
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Jones MEH, Gröning F, Dutel H, Sharp A, Fagan MJ, Evans SE. The biomechanical role of the chondrocranium and sutures in a lizard cranium. J R Soc Interface 2017; 14:20170637. [PMID: 29263126 PMCID: PMC5746569 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2017.0637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2017] [Accepted: 11/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The role of soft tissues in skull biomechanics remains poorly understood. Not least, the chondrocranium, the portion of the braincase which persists as cartilage with varying degrees of mineralization. It also remains commonplace to overlook the biomechanical role of sutures despite evidence that they alter strain distribution. Here, we examine the role of both the sutures and the chondrocranium in the South American tegu lizard Salvator merianae We use multi-body dynamics analysis (MDA) to provide realistic loading conditions for anterior and posterior unilateral biting and a detailed finite element model to examine strain magnitude and distribution. We find that strains within the chondrocranium are greatest during anterior biting and are primarily tensile; also that strain within the cranium is not greatly reduced by the presence of the chondrocranium unless it is given the same material properties as bone. This result contradicts previous suggestions that the anterior portion (the nasal septum) acts as a supporting structure. Inclusion of sutures to the cranium model not only increases overall strain magnitudes but also leads to a more complex distribution of tension and compression rather than that of a beam under sagittal bending.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc E H Jones
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide, South Australia 5005, Australia
- South Australian Museum, North Terrace, Adelaide, South Australia 5001, Australia
| | - Flora Gröning
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Hugo Dutel
- School of Engineering and Computer Science, Medical and Biological Engineering Research Group, University of Hull, Hull HU6 7RX, UK
| | - Alana Sharp
- Research Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, UCL, University College London, Anatomy Building, Gower Street, London WCIE 6BT, UK
| | - Michael J Fagan
- School of Engineering and Computer Science, Medical and Biological Engineering Research Group, University of Hull, Hull HU6 7RX, UK
| | - Susan E Evans
- Research Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, UCL, University College London, Anatomy Building, Gower Street, London WCIE 6BT, UK
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