Development of the bat wing

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  • Tokita Masayoshi
    Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba
  • Maeda Kishio
    Center for Natural Environment Education, Nara University of Education

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  • コウモリの翼の個体発生
  • コウモリ ノ ツバサ ノ コタイ ハッセイ

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Order Chiroptera is the second most species-rich mammalian group, composed of over 1,000 species and adapted to various types of environments. Their success as a mammalian lineage may be closely linked to their ability of powered flight. Bats have acquired wings via modifications to the forelimb morphology. The bat wing is a complex composed of a variety of tissues including skeletons, muscles, patagia (flight membranes) and is considered to have evolved just once in the common ancestor of the chiropteran lineage. However, the mechanisms generating the wing are poorly understood. Recently, many genes (e.g. Hoxd13, Prx1, Fgf8) that seem to contribute to vertebrate limb morphogenesis were cloned from the short-tailed fruit bat (Carollia perspicillata, family Phyllostomidae) and their expression pattern and functions in Carollia embryogenesis were investigated. These studies implied that the fundamental role of these molecules is in generating bat wings. In this paper, we review recent advances in understanding the developmental mechanisms underlying bat wing evolution. Also, we discuss the potential for conducting developmental biology using chiropteran species living in Japan.<br>

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