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Evolvability in vertebrate segmentation

Evolvability in vertebrate segmentation

This is a Preprint and has not been peer reviewed. This is version 1 of this Preprint.

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Authors

James Hammond , Callum V Bucklow, Berta Verd

Abstract

The number of vertebrae in the axial skeleton of vertebrates is extremely diverse, and reflects adaptations to a diverse range of habitats and lifestyles. The capacity for heritable evolutionary change in the number of vertebrae - its evolvability - is underpinned by the process of somitogenesis, which determines the number of somites that form in the early embryo. However, despite the evolvability of somitogenesis having been crucial for the success of the vertebrates across evolutionary history, the developmental sources of evolvability in somitogenesis are still unknown. Here, we review the evolution of somitogenesis and vertebral number, and attempt to identify sources of evolvability within this important developmental process.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.32942/X2KP8T

Subjects

Life Sciences

Keywords

evolvability, Somitogenesis, Somite, segment, development, evo-devo

Dates

Published: 2025-03-12 01:47

License

CC BY Attribution 4.0 International

Additional Metadata

Conflict of interest statement:
None

Data and Code Availability Statement:
Data either publicly available or forthcoming (data for figure 1 due to be published shortly). Code available upon request.

Language:
English