Patterns and mechanisms in evolution of the cervico-dorsal regions in Tetrapoda: approaches from the fossil record and embryology

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 17H02977
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Stratigraphy/Paleontology
• Research Institution: National Museum of Nature and Science, Tokyo (2019-2021); The University of Tokyo (2017-2018)
• Principal Investigator: Takanobu Tsuihiji 独立行政法人国立科学博物館, 地学研究部, 研究主幹 (70597343)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 遠藤 一佳 東京大学, 大学院理学系研究科(理学部), 教授 (80251411)
• Project Period (FY): 2017-04-01 – 2021-03-31
• Keywords: 四肢動物類 / 頸部 / 解剖学 / ヘビ類 / 骨格

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In order to elucidate how the cervical and dorsal regions in tetrapods differentiated from the primitive condition in "fishes," skeletal characteristics of fossil specimens since the Paleozoic were observed. Anatomical data on extant species were also obtained by CT scannning and observations on embryos, As a result, complex patterns of evolution, including possible discrepancy in timing of degeneration between an organ and nerves supplying it. In addition, the possibility of the Japanese Gekko may be suitable for research in development of Reptilia was suggested.

Free Research Field

古脊椎動物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

四肢動物類の分類学的、形態学的多様性のほとんどは絶滅種により示されているため、本研究では、進化学的研究にはそのような古生物学的データと、現在存在する種の生物学的データの両方を考慮する必要があることを示した。また、古生物学的データと比較するための発生学的研究のために、本邦に生息し飼育の比較的易しいニホンヤモリが使用できる可能性を新たに示したことで、爬虫類進化に関する研究の将来性にも貢献した。