Riding the crest to get a head: neural crest evolution in vertebrates

Area of Science:

• Developmental Biology
• Evolutionary Biology
• Chordate Evolution

Background:

• The 'new head' hypothesis posits neural crest and cranial placodes enabled vertebrate head evolution.
• Neural crest cells are a transient stem cell population crucial for vertebrate development.
• Recent discoveries challenge this hypothesis, finding analogous cells in invertebrate chordates.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the evolutionary origins of neural crest cells within deuterostome evolution.
• To investigate the progressive addition of neural crest cell types throughout vertebrate evolution.
• To understand the ancestral state and ongoing evolution of neural crest cells.

Main Methods:

• Review of recent findings on neural crest cell evolution.
• Analysis of cellular and gene regulatory perspectives.
• Utilizing novel genomic tools for higher resolution insights.

Main Results:

• Evidence suggests a progressive acquisition of neural crest derivatives during vertebrate evolution.
• Genomic tools provide detailed insights into neural crest cellular and gene regulatory evolution.
• Findings offer clues about the ancestral neural crest state.

Conclusions:

• The evolution of neural crest cells involved a gradual expansion of their derivative cell types.
• Understanding neural crest evolution sheds light on vertebrate evolutionary success, particularly as predators.
• Ongoing evolution of neural crest contributes to vertebrate adaptability.