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Updated: Aug 11, 2026

Assessing Species-specific Contributions To Craniofacial Development Using Quail-duck Chimeras
Published on: May 31, 2014
Comparative ontogeny and phylogeny of the upper jaw skeleton in amniotes
Joy M Richman1, Marcela Buchtová, Julia C Boughner
1Cellular Mechanisms of Development Group and Department of Oral Health Sciences, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C., Canada. richman@interchange.ubc.ca
Abstract:
The morphology, position, and presence of the upper jaw bones vary greatly across amniote taxa. In this review, we compare the development and anatomy of upper jaw bones from the three living amniote groups: reptiles, birds, and mammals. The study of reptiles is particularly important as comparatively little is known about the embryogenesis of the jaw in this group. Our review covers the ontogeny and phylogeny of membranous bones in the face. The aim is to identify conserved embryonic processes that may exist among the three major amniote groups. Finally, we discuss how temporal and spatial regulation of preosseous condensations and ossification centers can lead to variation in the morphology of amniote upper jaw bones.
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