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Neural crest contributions to the lamprey head
David W McCauley1, Marianne Bronner-Fraser
1Division of Biology 139-74, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA. mccauley@gg.caltech.edu
Development (Cambridge, England)
|April 19, 2003
Summary
Neural crest cell migration pathways in lampreys show conserved patterns but also unique movements not seen in jawed vertebrates. These findings suggest migratory constraints evolved later in vertebrate evolution.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Evolutionary Biology
- Comparative Anatomy
Background:
- The neural crest is a vertebrate-specific cell population crucial for craniofacial development.
- Understanding neural crest migration in basal vertebrates provides insights into evolutionary origins.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate cranial neural crest cell migration pathways in the basal vertebrate, the lamprey.
- To compare lamprey neural crest migration to that of gnathostomes (jawed vertebrates).
Main Methods:
- Focal DiI tracing in the cranial neural tube of developing lampreys.
- Observation and analysis of neural crest cell migratory pathways from origin to destination.
Main Results:
- Lamprey cranial neural crest migration shares general pathways (mandibular, hyoid streams) with gnathostomes.
- Lamprey migration involves unique rostrocaudal movements and extensive cell mixing, unlike gnathostomes.
- No evidence of ventral-to-dorsal filling or contribution to cranial sensory ganglia in lampreys.
Conclusions:
- General neural crest migration patterns are conserved across vertebrates.
- Specific migratory constraints and additional neural crest derivatives likely evolved later in gnathostome evolution.