Protein signaling and morphological development of the tail fluke in the embryonic beluga whale ( Delphinapterus leucas)
Abstract Background During the land‐to‐sea transition of cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises), the hindlimbs were lost and replaced by an elaborate tail fluke that evolved 32 Ma. All modern cetaceans utilize flukes for lift‐based propulsion, and nothing is known of this organ's molecular...
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crwiley:10.1002/dvdy.704 2024-06-02T08:04:16+00:00 Protein signaling and morphological development of the tail fluke in the embryonic beluga whale ( Delphinapterus leucas) Gavazzi, L. M. Nair, M. Suydam, R. Usip, S. Thewissen, J. G. M. Cooper, L. N. 2024 http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/dvdy.704 en eng Wiley http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Developmental Dynamics ISSN 1058-8388 1097-0177 journal-article 2024 crwiley https://doi.org/10.1002/dvdy.704 2024-05-03T11:49:39Z Abstract Background During the land‐to‐sea transition of cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises), the hindlimbs were lost and replaced by an elaborate tail fluke that evolved 32 Ma. All modern cetaceans utilize flukes for lift‐based propulsion, and nothing is known of this organ's molecular origins during embryonic development. This study utilizes immunohistochemistry to identify the spatiotemporal location of protein signals known to drive appendage outgrowth in other vertebrates (e.g., Sonic Hedgehog [SHH], GREMLIN [GREM], wingless‐type family member 7a [WNT], and fibroblast growth factors [FGFs]) and to test the hypothesis that signals associated with outgrowth and patterning of the tail fluke are similar to a tetrapod limb. Specifically, this study utilizes an embryo of a beluga whale ( Delphinapterus leucas ) as a case study. Results Results showed epidermal signals of WNT and FGFs, and mesenchymal/epidermal signals of SHH and GREM. These patterns are most consistent with vertebrate limb development. Overall, these data are most consistent with the hypothesis that outgrowth of tail flukes in cetaceans employs a signaling pattern that suggests genes essential for limb outgrowth and patterning shape this evolutionarily novel appendage. Conclusions While these data add insights into the molecular signals potentially driving the evolution and development of tail flukes in cetaceans, further exploration of the molecular drivers of fluke development is required. Article in Journal/Newspaper Beluga Beluga whale Beluga* Delphinapterus leucas Wiley Online Library Developmental Dynamics |
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Abstract Background During the land‐to‐sea transition of cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises), the hindlimbs were lost and replaced by an elaborate tail fluke that evolved 32 Ma. All modern cetaceans utilize flukes for lift‐based propulsion, and nothing is known of this organ's molecular origins during embryonic development. This study utilizes immunohistochemistry to identify the spatiotemporal location of protein signals known to drive appendage outgrowth in other vertebrates (e.g., Sonic Hedgehog [SHH], GREMLIN [GREM], wingless‐type family member 7a [WNT], and fibroblast growth factors [FGFs]) and to test the hypothesis that signals associated with outgrowth and patterning of the tail fluke are similar to a tetrapod limb. Specifically, this study utilizes an embryo of a beluga whale ( Delphinapterus leucas ) as a case study. Results Results showed epidermal signals of WNT and FGFs, and mesenchymal/epidermal signals of SHH and GREM. These patterns are most consistent with vertebrate limb development. Overall, these data are most consistent with the hypothesis that outgrowth of tail flukes in cetaceans employs a signaling pattern that suggests genes essential for limb outgrowth and patterning shape this evolutionarily novel appendage. Conclusions While these data add insights into the molecular signals potentially driving the evolution and development of tail flukes in cetaceans, further exploration of the molecular drivers of fluke development is required. |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
Gavazzi, L. M. Nair, M. Suydam, R. Usip, S. Thewissen, J. G. M. Cooper, L. N. |
spellingShingle |
Gavazzi, L. M. Nair, M. Suydam, R. Usip, S. Thewissen, J. G. M. Cooper, L. N. Protein signaling and morphological development of the tail fluke in the embryonic beluga whale ( Delphinapterus leucas) |
author_facet |
Gavazzi, L. M. Nair, M. Suydam, R. Usip, S. Thewissen, J. G. M. Cooper, L. N. |
author_sort |
Gavazzi, L. M. |
title |
Protein signaling and morphological development of the tail fluke in the embryonic beluga whale ( Delphinapterus leucas) |
title_short |
Protein signaling and morphological development of the tail fluke in the embryonic beluga whale ( Delphinapterus leucas) |
title_full |
Protein signaling and morphological development of the tail fluke in the embryonic beluga whale ( Delphinapterus leucas) |
title_fullStr |
Protein signaling and morphological development of the tail fluke in the embryonic beluga whale ( Delphinapterus leucas) |
title_full_unstemmed |
Protein signaling and morphological development of the tail fluke in the embryonic beluga whale ( Delphinapterus leucas) |
title_sort |
protein signaling and morphological development of the tail fluke in the embryonic beluga whale ( delphinapterus leucas) |
publisher |
Wiley |
publishDate |
2024 |
url |
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/dvdy.704 |
genre |
Beluga Beluga whale Beluga* Delphinapterus leucas |
genre_facet |
Beluga Beluga whale Beluga* Delphinapterus leucas |
op_source |
Developmental Dynamics ISSN 1058-8388 1097-0177 |
op_rights |
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.1002/dvdy.704 |
container_title |
Developmental Dynamics |
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1800748898452504576 |