9408287 Mabee The central goal of the proposed research is to understand the development of the cranial skeleton in fishes. Toward this goal, the PI will acquire data using experimental developmental techniques and synthesize these data using the methods of phylogenetic systematics. The PI will use modern lineage tracing methods, with digital imaging techniques and video microscopy to assess the relative embryological contribution of placode and neural crest to dermal cranial bones. This is significant because no hypotheses on the history of skeletal development in vertebrates can be made without information on fishes, and so far no experimental data on fishes are available. This study will provide these data.
