Patterning and post-patterning modes of evolutionary digit loss in mammals

Kimberly L. Cooper, Karen E. Sears, Aysu Uygur, Jennifer Maier, Karl Stephan Baczkowski, Margaret Brosnahan, Doug Antczak, Julian A. Skidmore, Clifford J. Tabin

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

A reduction in the number of digits has evolved many times in tetrapods, particularly in cursorial mammals that travel over deserts and plains, yet the underlying developmental mechanisms have remained elusive. Here we show that digit loss can occur both during early limb patterning and at later post-patterning stages of chondrogenesis. In the odd-toed jerboa (Dipus sagitta) and horse and the â ̃ even-toed camel, extensive cell death sculpts the tissue around the remaining toes. In contrast, digit loss in the pig is orchestrated by earlier limb patterning mechanisms including downregulation of Ptch1 expression but no increase in cell death. Together these data demonstrate remarkable plasticity in the mechanisms of vertebrate limb evolution and shed light on the complexity of morphological convergence, particularly within the artiodactyl lineage.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)41-45
Number of pages5
JournalNature
Volume511
Issue number7507
DOIs
StatePublished - 2014

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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