@article{2-s2.0-85097979865,

title = {Structural and ultrastructural studies on the developing vomeronasal sensory epithelium in the grass snake Natrix natrix (Squamata: Colubroidea)},

author = { P. Kaczmarek and W. Rupik},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85097979865&doi=10.1002%2fjmor.21311&partnerID=40&md5=89ea58088b9d5a86ea4800860ee7dc09},

doi = {10.1002/jmor.21311},

issn = {03622525},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-01-01},

journal = {Journal of Morphology},

volume = {282},

number = {3},

pages = {378-407},

publisher = {John Wiley and Sons Inc},

abstract = {The sensory olfactory epithelium and the vomeronasal sensory epithelium (VSE) are characterized by continuous turnover of the receptor cells during postnatal life and are capable of regeneration after injury. The VSE, like the entire vomeronasal organ, is generally well developed in squamates and is crucial for detection of pheromones and prey odors. Despite the numerous studies on embryonic development of the VSE in squamates, especially in snakes, an ultrastructural analysis, as far as we know, has never been performed. Therefore, we investigated the embryology of the VSE of the grass snake (Natrix natrix) using electron microscopy (SEM and TEM) and light microscopy. As was shown for adult snakes, the hypertrophied ophidian VSE may provide great resolution of changes in neuron morphology located at various epithelial levels. The results of this study suggest that different populations of stem/progenitor cells occur at the base of the ophidian VSE during embryonic development. One of them may be radial glia-like cells, described previously in mouse. The various structure and ultrastructure of neurons located at different parts of the VSE provide evidence for neuronal maturation and aging. Based on these results, a few nonmutually exclusive hypotheses explaining the formation of the peculiar columnar organization of the VSE in snakes were proposed. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC},

note = {1},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{2-s2.0-85096809833,

title = {Embryology of the naso-palatal complex in Gekkota based on detailed 3D analysis in Lepidodactylus lugubris and Eublepharis macularius},

author = { P. Kaczmarek and B. Metscher and W. Rupik},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85096809833&doi=10.1111%2fjoa.13312&partnerID=40&md5=07232f8d2863e90dc2f668fec062f84c},

doi = {10.1111/joa.13312},

issn = {00218782},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-01-01},

journal = {Journal of Anatomy},

volume = {238},

number = {2},

pages = {249-287},

publisher = {Blackwell Publishing Ltd},

abstract = {The vomeronasal organ (VNO), nasal cavity, lacrimal duct, choanal groove, and associated parts of the superficial (soft tissue) palate are called the naso-palatal complex. Despite the morphological diversity of the squamate noses, little is known about the embryological basis of this variation. Moreover, developmental data might be especially interesting in light of the morpho-molecular discordance of squamate phylogeny, since a ‘molecular scenario’ implies an occurrence of unexpected scale of homoplasy also in olfactory systems. In this study, we used X-ray microtomography and light microscopy to describe morphogenesis of the naso-palatal complex in two gekkotans: Lepidodactylus lugubris (Gekkonidae) and Eublepharis macularius (Eublepharidae). Our embryological data confirmed recent findings about the nature of some developmental processes in squamates, for example, involvement of the lateral nasal prominence in the formation of the choanal groove. Moreover, our study revealed previously unknown differences between the studied gekkotans and allows us to propose redefinition of the anterior concha of Sphenodon. Interpretation of some described conditions might be problematic in the phylogenetic context, since they represent unknown: squamate, nonophidian squamate, or gekkotan features. © 2020 Anatomical Society},

note = {5},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{2-s2.0-85092401299,

title = {Development of the squamate naso-palatal complex: Detailed 3D analysis of the vomeronasal organ and nasal cavity in the brown anole Anolis sagrei (Squamata: Iguania)},

author = { P. Kaczmarek and K. Janiszewska and B. Metscher and W. Rupik},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85092401299&doi=10.1186%2fs12983-020-00369-7&partnerID=40&md5=94bad386e477d48a3fb7c39b102569b2},

doi = {10.1186/s12983-020-00369-7},

issn = {17429994},

year  = {2020},

date = {2020-01-01},

journal = {Frontiers in Zoology},

volume = {17},

number = {1},

publisher = {BioMed Central Ltd},

abstract = {Background: Despite the diverse morphology of the adult squamate naso-palatal complex - consisting of the nasal cavity, vomeronasal organ (VNO), choanal groove, lacrimal duct and superficial palate - little is known about the embryology of these structures. Moreover, there are no comprehensive studies concerning development of the nasal cavity and VNO in relation to the superficial palate. In this investigation, we used X-ray microtomography and histological sections to describe embryonic development of the naso-palatal complex of iguanian lizard, the brown anole (Anolis sagrei). The purpose of the study was to describe the mechanism of formation of adult morphology in this species, which combines the peculiar anole features with typical iguanian conditions. Considering the uncertain phylogenetic position of the Iguania within Squamata, embryological data and future comparative studies may shed new light on the evolution of this large squamate clade. Results: Development of the naso-palatal complex was divided into three phases: early, middle and late. In the early developmental phase, the vomeronasal pit originates from medial outpocketing of the nasal pit, when the facial prominences are weakly developed. In the middle developmental phase, the following events can be noted: the formation of the frontonasal mass, separation of the vestibulum, appearance of the lacrimal duct, and formation of the choanal groove, which leads to separation of the VNO from the nasal cavity. In late development, the nasal cavity and the VNO attain their adult morphology. The lacrimal duct establishes an extensive connection with the choanal groove, which eventually becomes largely separated from the oral cavity. Conclusions: Unlike in other tetrapods, the primordium of the lacrimal duct in the brown anole develops largely beyond the nasolacrimal groove. In contrast to previous studies on squamates, the maxillary prominence is found to participate in the initial fusion with the frontonasal mass. Moreover, formation of the choanal groove occurs due to the fusion of the vomerine cushion to the subconchal fold, rather than to the choanal fold. The loss or significant reduction of the lateral nasal concha is secondary. Some features of anole adult morphology, such as the closure of the choanal groove, may constitute adaptations to vomeronasal chemoreception. © 2020 The Author(s).},

note = {5},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{2-s2.0-85010216381,

title = {Embryology of the VNO and associated structures in the grass snake Natrix natrix (Squamata: Naticinae): A 3D perspective},

author = { P. Kaczmarek and M. Hermyt and W. Rupik},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85010216381&doi=10.1186%2fs12983-017-0188-y&partnerID=40&md5=41aebf272b4442ac73053c490d8f7c8b},

doi = {10.1186/s12983-017-0188-y},

issn = {17429994},

year  = {2017},

date = {2017-01-01},

journal = {Frontiers in Zoology},

volume = {14},

number = {1},

publisher = {BioMed Central Ltd.},

abstract = {Background: Snakes are considered to be vomerolfaction specialists. They are members of one of the most diverse groups of vertebrates, Squamata. The vomeronasal organ and the associated structures (such as the lacrimal duct; choanal groove; lamina transversalis anterior and cupola Jacobsoni) of adult lizards and snakes have received much anatomical, histological, physiological and behavioural attention. However, only limited embryological investigation into these structures, constrained to some anatomical or cellular studies and brief surveys, has been carried out thus far. The purpose of this study was, first, to examine the embryonic development of the vomeronasal organ and the associated structures in the grass snake (Natrix natrix), using three-dimensional reconstructions based on histological studies, and, second, to compare the obtained results with those presented in known publications on other snakes and lizards. Results: Five major developmental processes were taken into consideration in this study: separation of the vomeronasal organ from the nasal cavity and its specialization, development of the mushroom body, formation of the lacrimal duct, development of the cupola Jacobsoni and its relation to the vomeronasal nerve, and specialization of the sensory epithelium. Our visualizations showed the VNO in relation to the nasal cavity, choanal groove, lacrimal duct and cupola Jacobsoni at different embryonic stages. We confirmed that the choanal groove disappears gradually, which indicates that this structure is absent in adult grass snakes. On our histological sections, we observed a gradual growth in the height of the columns of the vomeronasal sensory epithelium and widening of the spaces between them. Conclusions: The main ophidian taxa (Scolecophidia; Henophidia and Caenophidia), just like other squamate clades, seem to be evolutionarily conservative at some levels with respect to the VNO and associated structures morphology. Thus, it was possible to homologize certain embryonic levels of the anatomical and histological complexity, observed in the grass snake, with adult conditions of certain groups of Squamata. This may reflect evolutionary shift in Squamata from visually oriented predators to vomerolfaction specialists. Our descriptions offer material useful for future comparative studies of Squamata, both at their anatomical and histological levels. © 2017 The Author(s).},

note = {14},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{2-s2.0-85001013353,

title = {Development of the egg tooth – The tool facilitating hatching of squamates: Lessons from the grass snake Natrix natrix},

author = { M. Hermyt and P. Kaczmarek and M. Kowalska and W. Rupik},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85001013353&doi=10.1016%2fj.jcz.2016.11.001&partnerID=40&md5=9b619f3b9c90ec4f8ccb6e7c204049ae},

doi = {10.1016/j.jcz.2016.11.001},

issn = {00445231},

year  = {2017},

date = {2017-01-01},

journal = {Zoologischer Anzeiger},

volume = {266},

pages = {61-70},

publisher = {Elsevier GmbH},

abstract = {Most embryos of squamates use their egg tooth to facilitate hatching when their development is completed. After they are out of the shell, this tooth is shed and, in the case, of the grass snake (Natrix natrix), not replaced by a successor teeth. The structure of this transient tooth resembles the development and histology of the regular teeth of vertebrates. Morphological, histological and scanning electron microscopic observations indicated that the egg tooth of the grass snake has four developmental phases. Like the teeth of other vertebrate species, it undergoes oral epithelium thickening as well as the bud, cap and bell phases. However, due to the specialised function it performs, the egg tooth differs significantly from the other teeth both in its morphology and development. The egg tooth of Natrix natrix embryos is an unpaired true tooth, as in most squamates. Our study indicated that the egg tooth started its development in the rostral part of the snout by the thickening of the oral epithelium and there was a condensation of mesenchyme underneath it. It formed very early, around developmental stage III, at approximately the same time as the null-generation teeth. After the thickening of the oral epithelium, only one tooth germ is formed, in contrast to lizards in which two germs can be observed during their embryonic life; however, in the course of development, one regressed and the other shifted into the midline position and developed into the functional egg tooth. The next step in the egg tooth development was the differentiation of the enamel organ and the dental papilla. Three layers of the enamel organ developed – the inner enamel epithelium, the stellate reticulum and the outer enamel epithelium, while a superficial layer of the dental papilla differentiated into the odontoblasts. The egg tooth was ready to erupt when its development ended at developmental stage XII, after the hard tissues developed. © 2016 Elsevier GmbH},

note = {15},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}