Developmental genetic bases behind the independent origin of the tympanic membrane in mammals and diapsids

62Citations
Citations of this article
126Readers
Mendeley users who have this article in their library.

This article is free to access.

Abstract

The amniote middle ear is a classical example of the evolutionary novelty. Although paleontological evidence supports the view that mammals and diapsids (modern reptiles and birds) independently acquired the middle ear after divergence from their common ancestor, the developmental bases of these transformations remain unknown. Here we show that lower-to-upper jaw transformation induced by inactivation of the Endothelin1-Dlx5/6 cascade involving Goosecoid results in loss of the tympanic membrane in mouse, but causes duplication of the tympanic membrane in chicken. Detailed anatomical analysis indicates that the relative positions of the primary jaw joint and first pharyngeal pouch led to the coupling of tympanic membrane formation with the lower jaw in mammals, but with the upper jaw in diapsids. We propose that differences in connection and release by various pharyngeal skeletal elements resulted in structural diversity, leading to the acquisition of the tympanic membrane in two distinct manners during amniote evolution.

Cite

CITATION STYLE

APA

Kitazawa, T., Takechi, M., Hirasawa, T., Adachi, N., Narboux-Nême, N., Kume, H., … Kurihara, H. (2015). Developmental genetic bases behind the independent origin of the tympanic membrane in mammals and diapsids. Nature Communications, 6. https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms7853

Register to see more suggestions

Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work.

Already have an account?

Save time finding and organizing research with Mendeley

Sign up for free