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Evolutionary aspects of positioning and identification of vertebrate limbs

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 August 2001

KOJI TAMURA
Affiliation:
Biological Institute, Graduate School of Science, Tohoku University, Japan
RITSU KURAISHI
Affiliation:
Asamushi Marine Biological Station, Tohoku University, Japan
DAISUKE SAITO
Affiliation:
Biological Institute, Graduate School of Science, Tohoku University, Japan
HIDEKI MASAKI
Affiliation:
Biological Institute, Graduate School of Science, Tohoku University, Japan
HIROYUKI IDE
Affiliation:
Biological Institute, Graduate School of Science, Tohoku University, Japan
SAYURI YONEI-TAMURA
Affiliation:
Biological Institute, Graduate School of Science, Tohoku University, Japan
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Abstract

Emerging developmental studies contribute to our understanding of vertebrate evolution because changes in the developmental process and the genes responsible for such changes provide a unique way for evaluating the evolution of morphology. Endoskeletal limbs, the locomotor organs that are unique to vertebrates, are a popular model system in the fields of palaeontology and phylogeny because their structure is highly visible and their bony pattern is easily preserved in the fossil records. Similarly, limb development has long served as an excellent model system for studying vertebrate pattern formation. In this review, the evolution of vertebrate limb development is examined in the light of the latest knowledge, viewpoints and hypotheses.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© Anatomical Society of Great Britain and Ireland 2001

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