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Transcriptomic analysis of avian digits reveals conserved and derived digit identities in birds

Author

Listed:
  • Zhe Wang

    (Yale Systems Biology Institute, Yale University)

  • Rebecca L. Young

    (Yale Systems Biology Institute, Yale University)

  • Huiling Xue

    (Yale University School of Medicine)

  • Günter P. Wagner

    (Yale Systems Biology Institute, Yale University)

Abstract

Digit trouble in today's 'dinosaurs' Birds are now almost universally seen as the modern-day descendants of the dinosaurs, but there has always been a problem. The three digits of dinosaur limbs are usually thought to correspond with digits 1, 2 and 3 of the ancestral tetrapod pattern, whereas those of bird limbs seem to correspond with digits 2, 3 and 4. One solution has been to propose that a 'homeotic frame shift' changed the identities of the digits in evolution. Evidence for this now comes from work by Günter Wagner and colleagues, using transcriptomics to show that hind digit 1 in chicks has the same transcriptome as wing digit 2. In other words, wing digit 1 underwent a homeotic shift in evolution. The identities of all the other digits, however, remain much less clear.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhe Wang & Rebecca L. Young & Huiling Xue & Günter P. Wagner, 2011. "Transcriptomic analysis of avian digits reveals conserved and derived digit identities in birds," Nature, Nature, vol. 477(7366), pages 583-586, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:477:y:2011:i:7366:d:10.1038_nature10391
    DOI: 10.1038/nature10391
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    Cited by:

    1. René Böheim & Thomas Leoni, 2016. "Disability policies: Reform strategies in a comparative perspective," NBER Working Papers 22206, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.

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