figure legend: 4D-visualization of the developmental dynamics of pelvis development in rana temporaria tadpoles; lateral view, cranial end to the right. Yellow: neural tube, gray: sacral vertebra, blue: anlage of the pelvic element, orange: proximal end of the femur, green: connective tissue strand linking the pelvic element to the sacral vertebra. The green dot on the stage bar indicates the current developmental stage.
To view the 4D-visualization as a quicktime movie click here.
To view the 4D-visualization from cranial click here.
scientific background:
The key novelty in the tetrapod bauplan is the appearance of girdle elements, that serve to link the body axis to the limb skeleton. The current project analyzes the developmental dynamics of pelvis ontogenesis in rana temporaria tadpoles. The 4D-visualization for the first time qualitatively and quantitatively shows the morphogenesis and topology of the gridle elements throughout development and revealed the existance of an axio-appendicular link (i.e. a connective tissue strand linking the pelvic element to the sacral vertebra).
method: Three-dimensional models of the envolved structures (sacral vertebra, pelvic element, axio-appendicular link, femur and neural tube) were reconstructed from serial histological sections of specimens from subsequent developmental stages. The individual models from different stages were combined to a developmental sequence using the morphing utility of Macromedia Flash MX.
method: Three-dimensional models of the envolved structures (sacral vertebra, pelvic element, axio-appendicular link, femur and neural tube) were reconstructed from serial histological sections of specimens from subsequent developmental stages. The individual models from different stages were combined to a developmental sequence using the morphing utility of Macromedia Flash MX.
contact: johannes.streicher@meduniwien.ac.at