scholarly journals Unusual anal fin in a Devonian jawless vertebrate reveals complex origins of paired appendages

2013 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 20130002 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert S. Sansom ◽  
Sarah E. Gabbott ◽  
M. A. Purnell
Keyword(s):  
Developmental Plasticity ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Developmental Changes ◽  
Jawless Vertebrate ◽  
Gradual Evolution ◽  
Jawless Fish ◽  
Unique Condition

Jawed vertebrates (gnathostomes) have undergone radical anatomical and developmental changes in comparison with their jawless cousins (cyclostomes). Key among these is paired appendages (fins, legs and wings), which first evolved at some point on the gnathostome stem. The anatomy of fossil stem gnathostomes is, therefore, fundamental to our understanding of the nature and timing of the origin of this complex innovation. Here, we show that Euphanerops , a fossil jawless fish from the Devonian, possessed paired anal-fin radials, but no pectoral or pelvic fins. This unique condition occurs at an early stage on the stem-gnathostome lineage. This condition, and comparison with the varied condition of paired fins in other ostracoderms, indicates that there was a large amount of developmental plasticity during this episode—rather than a gradual evolution of this complex feature. Apparently, a number of different clades were exploring morphospace or undergoing multiple losses.

scholarly journals Fluctuating environments during early development can limit adult phenotypic flexibility: insights from an amphibious fish

2020 ◽  
Vol 223 (16) ◽  
pp. jeb228304 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giulia S. Rossi ◽  
Paige V. Cochrane ◽  
Patricia A. Wright
Keyword(s):  
Early Life ◽  
Developmental Plasticity ◽  
Environmental Variability ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Developmental Changes ◽  
Locomotor Performance ◽  
Phenotypic Flexibility ◽  
Adult Fish ◽  
Fluctuating Environments ◽  
Ventricle Size

ABSTRACTThe interaction between developmental plasticity and the capacity for reversible acclimation (phenotypic flexibility) is poorly understood, particularly in organisms exposed to fluctuating environments. We used an amphibious killifish (Kryptolebias marmoratus) to test the hypotheses that organisms reared in fluctuating environments (i) will make no developmental changes to suit any one environment because fixing traits to suit one environment could be maladaptive for another, and (ii) will be highly phenotypically flexible as adults because their early life experiences predict high environmental variability in the future. We reared fish under constant (water) or fluctuating (water–air) environments until adulthood and assessed a suite of traits along the oxygen cascade (e.g. neuroepithelial cell density and size, cutaneous capillarity, gill morphology, ventricle size, red muscle morphometrics, terrestrial locomotor performance). To evaluate the capacity for phenotypic flexibility, a subset of adult fish from each rearing condition was then air-exposed for 14 days before the same traits were measured. In support of the developmental plasticity hypothesis, traits involved with O2 sensing and uptake were largely unaffected by water–air fluctuations during early life, but we found marked developmental changes in traits related to O2 transport, utilization and locomotor performance. In contrast, we found no evidence supporting the phenotypic flexibility hypothesis. Adult fish from both rearing conditions exhibited the same degree of phenotypic flexibility in various O2 sensing- and uptake-related traits. In other cases, water–air fluctuations attenuated adult phenotypic flexibility despite the fact that phenotypic flexibility is hypothesized to be favoured when environments fluctuate. Overall, we conclude that exposure to environmental fluctuations during development in K. marmoratus can dramatically alter the constitutive adult phenotype, as well as diminish the scope for phenotypic flexibility in later life.

Developmental changes in the response of trigeminal neurons to neurotrophins: influence of birthdate and the ganglion environment

Development ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 126 (19) ◽  
pp. 4365-4373 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Enokido ◽  
S. Wyatt ◽  
A.M. Davies
Keyword(s):  
Trigeminal Ganglion ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Explant Culture ◽  
Developmental Changes ◽  
Target Tissue ◽  
Embryonic Mouse ◽  
Trigeminal Neurons ◽  
Brdu Injection ◽  
Pregnant Mice

Previous studies have shown that most neurons in cultures established during the early stages of neurogenesis in the embryonic mouse trigeminal ganglion are supported by BDNF whereas most neurons cultured from older ganglia survive with NGF. To ascertain to what extent these developmental changes in neurotrophin responsiveness result from separate phases of generation of BDNF- and NGF-responsive neurons or from a developmental switch in the response of neurons from BDNF to NGF, we administered BrdU to pregnant mice at different stages of gestation to identify neurons born at different times and studied the survival of labelled neurons in dissociated cultures established shortly after BrdU administration. Most early-generated neurons responded to BDNF, neurons generated at intermediate times responded to both factors and late-generated neurons responded to NGF, indicating that there are overlapping phases in the generation of BDNF- and NGF-responsive neurons and that late-generated neurons do not switch responsiveness from BDNF to NGF. To ascertain if early-generated neurons do switch their response to neurotrophins during development, we used repeated BrdU injection to label all neurons generated after an early stage in neurogenesis and studied the neurotrophin responsiveness of the unlabelled neurons in cultures established after neurogenesis had ceased. The response of these early-generated neurons had decreased to BDNF and increased to NGF, indicating that at least a proportion of early-generated neurons switch responsiveness to neurotrophins in vivo. Because early-generated neurons do not switch responsiveness from BDNF to NGF in long-term dissociated cultures, we cultured early trigeminal ganglion explants with and without their targets for 24 hours before establishing dissociated cultures. This period of explant culture was sufficient to enable many early-generated neurons to switch their response from BDNF to NGF and this switch occurred irrespective of presence of target tissue. Our findings conclusively demonstrate for the first time that individual neurons switch their neurotrophin requirements during development and that this switch depends on cell interactions within the ganglion. In addition, we show that there are overlapping phases in the generation of BDNF- and NGF-responsive neurons in the trigeminal ganglion.

scholarly journals Coloured Dots and the Question of Regional Origins in Early Qur'ans (Part I)

2015 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alain George
Keyword(s):  
Early Stage ◽  
Short Vowels ◽  
Gradual Evolution

During the first centuries of Islam, the written notation of the Qur'an underwent a gradual evolution. After an early stage represented by the ‘Ḥijāzī’ tradition, red dots were introduced into ‘Kūfic’ Qur'ans to mark short vowels. This system was soon expanded by assigning more functions to the red dots, sometimes supplemented by yellow, green, and blue dots; and by creating new orthographic signs. These devices were used in different ways by different vocalisers. Few textual sources dealing with this subject survive. By far the most consequential is al-Muḥkam fī naqṭ al-maṣāḥif (lit. ‘The Precise on the Vocalisation of Qur'ans’) by Abū ʿAmr ʿUthmān b. Saʿīd al-Dānī (371–444/982–1053). Following a line of work initiated by Yasin Dutton, the present study, to be published in two parts, will confront the assertions of al-Muḥkam with a sample of key manuscripts in an attempt to gain insights into the regional origins of early Qur'ans.

Triassic sponges (Sphinctozoa) from Hells Canyon, Oregon

1988 ◽  
Vol 62 (03) ◽  
pp. 419-423 ◽  
Author(s):  
Baba Senowbari-Daryan ◽  
George D. Stanley
Keyword(s):  
Endemic Species ◽  
Upper Triassic ◽  
Island Arc ◽  
Tropical Island ◽  
The Family ◽  
Wallowa Terrane ◽  
Unique Condition ◽  
Hells Canyon

Two Upper Triassic sphinctozoan sponges of the family Sebargasiidae were recovered from silicified residues collected in Hells Canyon, Oregon. These sponges areAmblysiphonellacf.A. steinmanni(Haas), known from the Tethys region, andColospongia whalenin. sp., an endemic species. The latter sponge was placed in the superfamily Porata by Seilacher (1962). The presence of well-preserved cribrate plates in this sponge, in addition to pores of the chamber walls, is a unique condition never before reported in any porate sphinctozoans. Aporate counterparts known primarily from the Triassic Alps have similar cribrate plates but lack the pores in the chamber walls. The sponges from Hells Canyon are associated with abundant bivalves and corals of marked Tethyan affinities and come from a displaced terrane known as the Wallowa Terrane. It was a tropical island arc, suspected to have paleogeographic relationships with Wrangellia; however, these sponges have not yet been found in any other Cordilleran terrane.

Spherulitic crystal growth in the prodissoconch larval of Crassostrea virginica

1983 ◽  
Vol 41 ◽  
pp. 518-519
Author(s):  
George G. Cocks ◽  
Louis Leibovitz ◽  
DoSuk D. Lee
Keyword(s):  
Crystal Structure ◽  
Crassostrea Virginica ◽  
Crystal Orientation ◽  
Developmental Changes ◽  
Gastrula Stage ◽  
Orthorhombic Crystal ◽  
Orthorhombic Crystal Structure ◽  
Stages Of Growth ◽  
Early Stages ◽  
Initial Deposition

Our understanding of the structure and the formation of inorganic minerals in the bivalve shells has been considerably advanced by the use of electron microscope. However, very little is known about the ultrastructure of valves in the larval stage of the oysters. The present study examines the developmental changes which occur between the time of conception to the early stages of Dissoconch in the Crassostrea virginica(Gmelin), focusing on the initial deposition of inorganic crystals by the oysters.The spawning was induced by elevating the temperature of the seawater where the adult oysters were conditioned. The eggs and sperm were collected separately, then immediately mixed for the fertilizations to occur. Fertilized animals were kept in the incubator where various stages of development were stopped and observed. The detailed analysis of the early stages of growth showed that CaCO3 crystals(aragonite), with orthorhombic crystal structure, are deposited as early as gastrula stage(Figuresla-b). The next stage in development, the prodissoconch, revealed that the crystal orientation is in the form of spherulites.

Alterations in the number of motoneurons containing immunoreactive calcitonin gene-related peptide(CGRP)& choline acetyltransferase(ChAT) in the cervical spinal cord of the wobbler mouse during the development of the motoneuron disease

1995 ◽  
Vol 53 ◽  
pp. 970-971
Author(s):  
L. Vacca-Galloway ◽  
Y.Q. Zhang ◽  
P. Bose ◽  
S.H. Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Cervical Spinal Cord ◽  
Wild Type Mouse ◽  
Reflex Response ◽  
Mouse Strains ◽  
Behavioral Tests ◽  
Wobbler Mouse ◽  
Stage 4 ◽  
Stage 1

The Wobbler mouse (wr) has been studied as a model for inherited human motoneuron diseases (MNDs). Using behavioral tests for forelimb power, walking, climbing, and the “clasp-like reflex” response, the progress of the MND can be categorized into early (Stage 1, age 21 days) and late (Stage 4, age 3 months) stages. Age-and sex-matched normal phenotype littermates (NFR/wr) were used as controls (Stage 0), as well as mice from two related wild-type mouse strains: NFR/N and a C57BI/6N. Using behavioral tests, we also detected pre-symptomatic Wobblers at postnatal ages 7 and 14 days. The mice were anesthetized and perfusion-fixed for immunocytochemical (ICC) of CGRP and ChAT in the spinal cord (C3 to C5).Using computerized morphomety (Vidas, Zeiss), the numbers of IR-CGRP labelled motoneurons were significantly lower in 14 day old Wobbler specimens compared with the controls (Fig. 1). The same trend was observed at 21 days (Stage 1) and 3 months (Stage 4). The IR-CGRP-containing motoneurons in the Wobbler specimens declined progressively with age.

Automated high-resolution microscopy: the approaches so far

1987 ◽  
Vol 45 ◽  
pp. 58-61
Author(s):  
W. O. Saxton
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Automatic Recording ◽  
Microprocessor Control ◽  
Alternative Systems ◽  
Electron Image ◽  
Complete Automation ◽  
Analysis System ◽  
High Resolution Microscopy

Recent commercial microscopes with internal microprocessor control of all major functions have already demonstrated some of the benefits anticipated from such systems, such as continuous magnification, rotation-free diffraction and magnification, automatic recording of mutually registered focal series, and fewer control knobs. Complete automation of the focusing, stigmating and alignment of a high resolution microscope, allowing focal series to be recorded at preselected focus values as well, is still imminent rather than accomplished, however; some kind of image pick-up and analysis system, fed with the electron image via a TV camera, is clearly essential for this, but several alternative systems and algorithms are still being explored. This paper reviews the options critically in turn, and stresses the need to consider alignment and focusing at an early stage, and not merely as an optional extension to a basic proposal.

Direct observation of Fe-Al-Zn ternary intermetallic compound and its transformation during the early stage of hot-dip galvanizing

1993 ◽  
Vol 51 ◽  
pp. 1116-1117
Author(s):  
C. S. Lin ◽  
W. A. Chiou ◽  
M. Meshii
Keyword(s):  
Intermetallic Compound ◽  
Reaction Rate ◽  
Diffusion Rate ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Zinc Bath ◽  
Steel Sheets ◽  
Direct Observations ◽  
Solid Iron ◽  
Iron And Zinc ◽  
Ternary Intermetallic Compound

The galvannealed steel sheets have received ever increased attention because of their excellent post-painting corrosion resistance and good weldability. However, its powdering and flaking tendency during press forming processes strongly impairs its performance. In order to optimize the properties of galvanneal coatings, it is critical to control the reaction rate between solid iron and molten zinc.In commercial galvannealing line, aluminum is added to zinc bath to retard the diffusion rate between iron and zinc by the formation of a thin layer of Al intermetallic compound on the surface of steel at initial hot-dip galvanizing. However, the form of this compound and its transformation are still speculated. In this paper, we report the direct observations of this compound and its transformation.The specimens were prepared in a hot-dip simulator in which the steel was galvanized in the zinc bath containing 0.14 wt% of Al at a temperature of 480 °C for 5 seconds and was quenched by liquid nitrogen.

Anisotropy of interfacial defects in the initial stage of MOVPE GaAs growth On Si

1990 ◽  
Vol 48 (4) ◽  
pp. 592-593
Author(s):  
C. Vannuffel ◽  
C. Schiller ◽  
J. P. Chevalier
Keyword(s):  
Early Stage ◽  
Threading Dislocations ◽  
Mbe Growth ◽  
Detailed Mechanism ◽  
Si Substrates ◽  
Initial Stage ◽  
Interfacial Defects ◽  
Interfacial Dislocations ◽  
Step Growth ◽  
Essential Problem

Recently, interest has focused on the epitaxy of GaAs on Si as a promising material for electronic applications, potentially for integration of optoelectronic devices on silicon wafers. The essential problem concerns the 4% misfit between the two materials, and this must be accommodated by a network of interfacial dislocations with the lowest number of threading dislocations. It is thus important to understand the detailed mechanism of the formation of this network, in order to eventually reduce the dislocation density at the top of the layers.MOVPE growth is carried out on slightly misoriented, (3.5°) from (001) towards , Si substrates. Here we report on the effect of this misorientation on the interfacial defects, at a very early stage of growth. Only the first stage, of the well-known two step growth process, is thus considered. Previously, we showed that full substrate coverage occured for GaAs thicknesses of 5 nm in contrast to MBE growth, where substantially greater thicknesses are required.

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