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Journal of Undergraduate Research

Keywords

anterior-posterior limb position, key embryonic events, A-P patterning

College

Life Sciences

Department

Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Science

Abstract

To better understand embryonic events leading to the determination of limb position along the anterior-posterior (A-P) axis, we compared pre-limb bud stage developmental morphology of three vertebrate organisms: chicken, goose and swan. These organisms were selected because of the differences each exhibit with regard to the A-P location of the forelimbs, or more specifically, the number of cervical vertebrae. By observing disparities between the embryonic morphologies of the different species, we were able to identify specific morphological distinctions that correlate with A-P patterning. Based on the data obtained, we hypothesize a mechanism whereby a delay in embryonic “differentiation” in relationship to somite segmentation may result in A-P patterning differences. Therefore, we believe that the relative timing of key embryonic events is critical in determining A-P limb position.

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