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Fig. 5 | EvoDevo

Fig. 5

From: Conserved gene signalling and a derived patterning mechanism underlie the development of avian footpad scales

Fig. 5

Scales of the bearded dragon ventral footpad arise synchronously from individual placodes. Whole-mount ISH was performed to investigate gene expression during scale development of the bearded dragon’s (P. vitticeps) ventral foot surface. At E30, no placodes were visible (A, D). By E35, placodes were visible emerging synchronously over the footpad and digits, expressing both β-cat and Shh (B, E). By E40, these units had developed to cover the footpad and digits, still expressing β-cat and Shh (C, F). Section ISH of bearded dragon body scales revealed that Shh expression is epithelial during both placode stage and morphogenesis (G, I), as previously described [5]. PCNA immunoreactivity revealed that columnar cells of the basal epithelium exhibit a reduced rate of proliferation in the placode stage (H), compared to morphogenesis (J). Dashed lines separate the basal epithelium from the underlying mesenchyme. Scale bars are 500 µm in length

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