Marsupial mammals are born at a highly altricial state. Nonetheless, the neonate must be capable of considerable functional independence. Comparative studies have shown that in marsupials the morphogenesis of many structures critical to independent function are advanced relative to overall development. Many skeletal and muscular elements in the facial region show particular heterochrony. Because neural crest cells are crucial to forming and patterning much of the face, this study investigates whether the timing of cranial neural crest differentiation is also advanced. Histology and scanning electron microscopy of Monodelphis domestica embryos show that many aspects of cranial neural crest differentiation and migration are conserved in marsupials. For example, as in other vertebrates, cranial neural crest differentiates at the neural ectoderm/epidermal boundary and migrates as three major streams. However, when compared with other vertebrates, a number of timing differences exist. The onset of cranial neural crest migration is early relative to both neural tube development and somite formation in Monodelphis. First arch neural crest cell migration is particularly advanced and begins before any somites appear or regional differentiation exists in the neural tube. Our study provides the first published description of cranial neural crest differentiation and migration in marsupials and offers insight into how shifts in early developmental processes can lead to morphological change.

The salamander tail displays different functions and morphologies in the aquatic and terrestrial stages of species with complex life cycles.

Patterning, cellular differentiation, and developmental sequences of dermal denticles (denticles) are described for the skate Leucoraja erinacea. Development of denticles proceeds caudo-rostrally in the tail and trunk. Once three rows of denticles form in the tail and trunk, denticles begin to appear in the region of the pelvic girdle, medio-caudal to the eyes and on the pectoral fins. Although timing of cellular differentiation of denticles differs among different locations of the body, cellular development of a denticle is identical in all locations. Thickening of the epidermis as a denticle lamina marks initiation of development. A single lamina for each denticle forms, and a small group of mesenchymal cells aggregates underneath it. The lamina then invaginates caudo-rostrally to form the inner-and outer-denticle epithelia (IDE and ODE, respectively). Before nuclei of IDE cells are polarized, enameloid matrix appears between the basement membrane of the IDE and the apical surface of the pre-odontoblasts. Pre-dentin is then laid down along with collagenous materials. Von Kossa stain visualizes initial mineralization of dentin, but not enameloid. During the growth of a denticle, dense fibrous connective tissue of the dermis forms the deep dermal tissue over the dorsal musculature. Attachment fibers and tendons anchor denticles and dorsal musculature, respectively, on deep dermal tissue. Basal tissue of the denticles develops as the denticle crown grows. If the basal tissue is bone of attachment, then the cells along the basal tissue would be osteoblasts. However, these cells could not be distinguished from odontoblasts using immunolocalization of type I pro-collagen (Col I), alkaline phosphatase (APase), and neural cell adhesion molecule (N-CAM). Well-developed dentin, (not pre-dentin), the enameloid matrix (probably when it begins to mineralize), and deep dermal tissue are Verhoeff stain-positive, suggesting that these tissues contain elastin and/or elastin-like molecules. Our study demonstrates that the cellular development of denticles resembles tooth development in elasmobranchs, but that dermal denticles differ from teeth in forming from a single denticle lamina. Whether the basal tissue of denticles is bone of attachment remains undetermined. Confirmation and function of Verhoeff-positive proteins in enameloid, dentin, and deep dermal tissue remain to be determined. We discuss these issues along with an analysis of recent findings of enamel and enameloid matrices.

Patterning, cellular differentiation, and developmental sequences of dermal denticles (denticles) are described for the skate Leucoraja erinacea. Development of denticles proceeds caudo-rostrally in the tail and trunk. Once three rows of denticles form in the tail and trunk, denticles begin to appear in the region of the pelvic girdle, medio-caudal to the eyes and on the pectoral fins. Although timing of cellular differentiation of denticles differs among different locations of the body, cellular development of a denticle is identical in all locations. Thickening of the epidermis as a denticle lamina marks initiation of development. A single lamina for each denticle forms, and a small group of mesenchymal cells aggregates underneath it. The lamina then invaginates caudo-rostrally to form the inner- and outer-denticle epithelia (IDE and ODE, respectively). Before nuclei of IDE cells are polarized, enameloid matrix appears between the basement membrane of the IDE and the apical surface of the pre-odontoblasts. Pre-dentin is then laid down along with collagenous materials. Von Kossa stain visualizes initial mineralization of dentin, but not enameloid. During the growth of a denticle, dense fibrous connective tissue of the dermis forms the deep dermal tissue over the dorsal musculature. Attachment fibers and tendons anchor denticles and dorsal musculature, respectively, on deep dermal tissue. Basal tissue of the denticles develops as the denticle crown grows. If the basal tissue is bone of attachment, then the cells along the basal tissue would be osteoblasts. However, these cells could not be distinguished from odontoblasts using immunolocalization of type I pro-collagen (Col I), alkaline phosphatase (APase), and neural cell adhesion molecule (N-CAM). Well-developed dentin, (not pre-dentin), the enameloid matrix (probably when it begins to mineralize), and deep dermal tissue are Verhoeff stain-positive, suggesting that these tissues contain elastin and/or elastin-like molecules. Our study demonstrates that the cellular development of denticles resembles tooth development in elasmobranchs, but that dermal denticles differ from teeth in forming from a single denticle lamina. Whether the basal tissue of denticles is bone of attachment remains undetermined. Confirmation and function of Verhoeff-positive proteins in enameloid, dentin, and deep dermal tissue remain to be determined. We discuss these issues along with an analysis of recent findings of enamel and enameloid matrices.

Typically the number of vertebrae an organism will have post-embryonically is determined during embryogenesis via the development of paired somites. Our research investigates the phenomenon of post-embryonic vertebral addition in salamander tails. We describe body and tail growth, and patterns of postsacral vertebral addition and elongation in context with caudal morphology for four plethodontids (Eurycea), and one ambystomatid. Eurycea nana and A. mexicanum have paedomorphic life cycles; E. cirrigera, E. longicauda and E. quadridigitata are biphasic. Specimens were collected, borrowed and/or purchased, and cleared and stained for bone and cartilage. Data collected include snout-vent length (SVL), tail length (TL), vertebral counts and centrum lengths. Eurycea species with biphasic life cycles had TLs that surpassed SVL following metamorphosis. Tails in paedomorphic species elongated but rarely exceeded body length. Larger TLs were associated with more vertebrae and longer vertebrae in all species. We observed that rates of postsacral vertebral addition varied little amongst species. Regional variation along the tail becomes prominent following metamorphosis in biphasic developers. In all species vertebrae in the posterior one-half of the tail taper towards the tip. We suggest a developmental link might exist between the ability to continually add vertebrae and regeneration in salamanders.