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Predicting evolutionary patterns of mammalian teeth from development

Author

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  • Kathryn D. Kavanagh

    (Evolution & Development Unit, Institute of Biotechnology, PO Box 56 (Viikinkaari 9), FIN-00014 University of Helsinki
    Present address: School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794, USA.)

  • Alistair R. Evans

    (Evolution & Development Unit, Institute of Biotechnology, PO Box 56 (Viikinkaari 9), FIN-00014 University of Helsinki)

  • Jukka Jernvall

    (Evolution & Development Unit, Institute of Biotechnology, PO Box 56 (Viikinkaari 9), FIN-00014 University of Helsinki
    Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794, USA)

Abstract

One motivation in the study of development is the discovery of mechanisms that may guide evolutionary change. Here we report how development governs relative size and number of cheek teeth, or molars, in the mouse. We constructed an inhibitory cascade model by experimentally uncovering the activator–inhibitor logic of sequential tooth development. The inhibitory cascade acts as a ratchet that determines molar size differences along the jaw, one effect being that the second molar always makes up one-third of total molar area. By using a macroevolutionary test, we demonstrate the success of the model in predicting dentition patterns found among murine rodent species with various diets, thereby providing an example of ecologically driven evolution along a developmentally favoured trajectory. In general, our work demonstrates how to construct and test developmental rules with evolutionary predictability in natural systems.

Suggested Citation

  • Kathryn D. Kavanagh & Alistair R. Evans & Jukka Jernvall, 2007. "Predicting evolutionary patterns of mammalian teeth from development," Nature, Nature, vol. 449(7161), pages 427-432, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:449:y:2007:i:7161:d:10.1038_nature06153
    DOI: 10.1038/nature06153
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    Cited by:

    1. Mitsuko Nakayama & Osamu Kondo & Paula Pesonen & Lassi Alvesalo & Raija Lähdesmäki, 2018. "Influence of long and short arms of X chromosome on maxillary molar crown morphology," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(11), pages 1-17, November.
    2. Alexa Sadier & Neal Anthwal & Andrew L. Krause & Renaud Dessalles & Michael Lake & Laurent A. Bentolila & Robert Haase & Natalie A. Nieves & Sharlene E. Santana & Karen E. Sears, 2023. "Bat teeth illuminate the diversification of mammalian tooth classes," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-11, December.

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