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Cited by 25Developmental Biology and Gene RegulationMorphological variations and asymmetryFish Biology and Ecology Studies

Extreme evolutionary shifts in developmental timing establish the miniature Danionella as a novel model in the neurosciences

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Conway, Kevin W., M. Kubicek, Kole, Britz, Ralf·2021·Developmental Dynamics
DOI 10.1002/dvdy.280
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Abstract

Background: Species of Danionella rank among the smallest of all vertebrates and their miniature size is correlated with an extreme case of progenesis, resulting in tiny, transparent sexually mature individuals. Progenesis has affected the entire skeleton of Danionella, in which 60 skeletal elements are absent, including some of the skull roofing bones. This lack of a skull roof combined with the presence of a fully formed hearing and sound producing apparatus has led to Danionella being used as an important model for neurophysiological studies. Results: Using both rank based and PGi analyses we investigate sequence heterochrony in the development of the skeleton of Danionella dracula and close relatives. Extreme heterochronic shifts affect the appearance of bony elements in Danionella dracula. This includes a delay in the appearance of most chondral skull bones, and a reduction or loss of dermal bones that would otherwise form the skull roof. In contrast, formation of the anterior region of the vertebral column, including the functionally important elements of the Weberian apparatus, is greatly accelerated. Conclusions: Here we show that the anatomical conditions that favor Danionella for brain research are the result of extreme heterochronic shifts that have acted differentially across the skeleton.

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Crossref · 10.1002/dvdy.280

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42 of 42 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • Danionella is unusual in showing organism-wide progenesis or developmental truncation, a heterochronic change that leads to tiny adult organisms with an overall larval appearance.

    “Danionella is unusual in that it shows organism–wide progenesis or developmental truncation, a heterochronic change that leads to tiny adult organisms with an overall larval appearance7–10.”

    From The emerging vertebrate model species for neurophysiological studies is Danionella cerebrum, new species (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) (2021) · cites this paper as [10]

  • Conway et al.10 have shown that it is the dramatic disparity in heterochronic shifts between different parts of the skeleton that has resulted in a vertebrate with an open, larval skull roof, but a fully developed Weberian apparatus.

    “Specifically for Danionella, Conway et al.10 have shown that it is the dramatic disparity in heterochronic shifts between different parts of the skeleton that has resulted in a vertebrate with an open, larval skull roof, but a fully developed Weberian apparatus.”

    From The emerging vertebrate model species for neurophysiological studies is Danionella cerebrum, new species (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) (2021) · cites this paper as Conway et al. [10]

  • Danionella have a developmentally truncated neurocranium, but a precociously developing Weberian apparatus.

    “Danionella have a developmentally truncated neurocranium, but a precociously developing Weberian apparatus”

    From The emerging vertebrate model species for neurophysiological studies is Danionella cerebrum, new species (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) (2021) · cites this paper as Conway et al. [10]

  • The difference in frequency between the two types likely reflects greater developmental constraints on progenetic miniaturization, which requires extreme heterochronic shifts resulting in simultaneous truncation of multiple organ systems, compared to proportioned dwarfism, which may face fewer developmental and genetic constraints.

    “The difference in frequency likely reflects the greater developmental constraints on progenetic miniaturization, which requires extreme heterochronic shifts resulting in the simultaneous truncation of multiple organ systems, compared to the simpler body size reduction characterizing proportioned dwarfism, which may face fewer developmental and genetic constraints (5, 14, 42).”

    From Convergent genome streamlining accompanies independent miniaturization in the world’s smallest fishes (2026) · cites this paper as [42]

Cites

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Research works printed but not linked: 5

  1. Dumeril A, 1866, Troisième notice sur la ménagerie des reptiles du Museum d'Histoire naturelle, Bull Soc Imp Zool Accl (Ser 2), 3, 79
  2. Kollmann J, 1884, Ueberwintern von europäischen Frosch‐ und Tritonlarven und die Umwandlung des mexikanischen Axolotl, Verh Naturforsch Ges Basel, 7, 387
  3. 10.1111/j.1095-8312.2001.tb01355.x · DOI
  4. Berrill NJ, 1955, The Origin of Vertebrates
  5. Beer GR, 1958, Embryos and Ancestors

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Authors
Conway, K. W., M. Kubicek, K., & Britz, R.
Affiliations
  • Texas A&M University (US)
  • Department of Ecology and Conservation Biology and Biodiversity Research and Teaching Collections Texas A&M University College Station Texas USA
  • Senckenberg Natural History Collections Dresden (DE)
Corresponding author
Conway, Kevin W.
ORCID
Venue
Developmental Dynamics
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2020-12-27
Volume
250
Issue
4
Pages
601-611
ISSN
  • 1058-8388 (ISSN-L)
  • 1097-0177
DOI
10.1002/dvdy.280
OpenAlex
W3112029988
Cited by
25
References
42
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 6 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 2 · 2017: 1
FWCI
0.65
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor (vor)
Locations
  • Developmental Dynamics (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
Texas A and M University (HATCH TEX09452)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Developmental Biology and Gene Regulation
  • Physical Sciences › Mathematics › Geometry and Topology › Morphological variations and asymmetry
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Aquatic Science › Fish Biology and Ecology Studies
Keywords
progenesis, heterochrony, developmental timing, skeletal development, skull roof, dermal bones, Weberian apparatus, spine, neurophysiological model
MeSH terms
Animals, Cyprinidae, Biological Evolution, Skull, Models, Animal

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