Molecular decay of enamel matrix protein genes in turtles and other edentulous amniotes

• Published in: BMC Evolutionary Biology
• Main Authors: Meredith Robert W, Gatesy John, Springer Mark S
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2013
• Subjects: Ameloblastin; Amelogenin; Enamel matrix protein genes; Enamelin; Pseudogenes; Testudines; Evolution; QH359-425; Finch; baleen whales
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2148-13-20; https://doaj.org/article/f117674cbad34f818a2d382d3d4fde2f

Abstract Background Secondary edentulism (toothlessness) has evolved on multiple occasions in amniotes including several mammalian lineages (pangolins, anteaters, baleen whales), birds, and turtles. All edentulous amniote clades have evolved from ancestors with enamel-capped teeth. Previous studies...