Fetal tooth development and adult replacement in Dermophis mexicanus (Amphibia: Gymnophiona): Fields versus clones

Journal of Morphology
Marvalee H Wake

Abstract

Teeth of fetuses of a caecilian, Dermophis mexicanus (Amphibia: Gymnophiona), show ontogenetic variation in crown structure from small, multidenticulate, and non-pedicellate to larger, spoon-shaped, pedicellate teeth with a single apical spike. Number of denticles decreases as enamel-secreting cells mature. Numbers of teeth and of tooth rows increase ontogenetically. A fetal vomeropalatine set of teeth is present in D. mexicanus but absent in species previously examined. Teeth transitional to the adult shape and arrangement appear shortly before birth. The transition is correlated with birth, not fetal size. There is relatively little increase in numbers of teeth during the juvenile period. The pattern of development does not fully agree with either morphogenetic field theory or with clone theory, both as defined by Osborn ('78). Sequence of initiation is appropriate to either. Tooth shape changes agree with aspects of clone theory. Multiple rows of fetal teeth and the transition to adult follow field theory. Clone theory holds that patterns of development and shape are self-regulated, field theory that they are controlled extrinsically. I suggest that substances regulating differentiation mediate early development, and hormone...Continue Reading

References

Mar 31, 1977·Nature·D Toews, D Macintyre
Jan 1, 1976·Journal of Morphology·M H Wake
Oct 1, 1969·Journal of Theoretical Biology·L Wolpert
Aug 1, 1974·Journal of Theoretical Biology·J W Osborn
Jul 1, 1971·Journal of Morphology·R LawsonN T Beck
Jan 1, 1971·Zeitschrift für Zellforschung und mikroskopische Anatomie·M M Smith, A E Miles
Nov 1, 1970·Developmental Biology·L Van Valen
Mar 1, 1974·Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution·J W Osborn
Dec 1, 1972·Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution·J W Osborn
Mar 1, 1979·Journal of Morphology·Marvalee H Wake, Gloria Z Wurst

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Citations

Mar 20, 2014·Journal of Morphology·Marvalee H Wake
Apr 1, 2017·Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine : Official Publication of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians·Alberto Rodriguez BarbonAndrew Routh
Nov 14, 2002·Microscopy Research and Technique·Jean-Yves SireAnn Huysseune
Jul 3, 2009·Journal of Morphology·Oscar D PérezMarvalee H Wake
Feb 23, 2007·Biological Reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society·Tiphaine Davit-BéalJean-Yves Sire

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