![]() “ José-Luis Gómez-Skarmeta was particularly interested in applying molecular techniques relying on short-read sequencing that shed light on the regulatory processes (which enhancer or 'cis-regulatory element' controls which genes) to understand the particular skate morphology (the wing-like fins),” says Marlétaz. The scientists investigate the origin of this phenotypic innovation by developing the little skate ( Leucoraja erinacea) as a genomically enabled model. Nevertheless, the genomic and regulatory changes underlying these novel expression domains have remained elusive,” the Marlétaz’s team reports in their latest study. ![]() “These changes arose ~286–221 million years ago after the divergence between sharks and skates. In other words, even though the posterior and anterior of a skate fin look similar, they are completely different in terms of gene expression. The researchers also found that embryonic skates develop the rear portion of the fin using limb-development genes, while the front portion develops using shoulder genes. The apical ectodermal ridge (AER) is one of the main signaling centers during limb development and is an important structure of the developing limb bud. In the early stages of embryonic skate development, pectoral fins mirrored those of other fish and tetrapods however, instead of their genes creating one apical ectodermal ridge (AER) per appendage, they develop two - one that directs growth of the pectoral fin toward the tail, while the other directs growth towards the head. A fascinating example is the wing-like appendages on batoid fishes (skates and rays) in which the pectoral fins are fused with the head and extend anteriorly. Bensley Professor of Organismal Biology and Anatomy at the University of Chicago said in a press release at the time.Ĭhondrichthyans (all cartilaginous fish) have different fin structures that also exhibit an. “What is surprising is that the extraordinary anatomy of skate fins comes about by simple tweaks to the processes that make the more normal-looking fins of other fish,” senior study author Neil Shubin, PhD, Robert R. Research published by scientists at the University of Chicago in 2015 found that skates and rays evolved their striking, wing-like pectoral fins using repurposed genes. ![]() Due to this unique structure, skates and rays are able to not only propel themselves forward along the seafloor but become fearsome predators of the ocean floor. ![]() As well as those paired appendages we have seen displayed in tetrapods, the Chondrichthyans (all cartilaginous fish) have different fin structures that also exhibit an exquisite diversity of uses. Vertebrates evolved and diversified alongside key developmental innovations.
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