Thewissen et al. reply.
LETTERS to the editor; WHALES
Replying to: J. H. Geisler & J. M. Theodor 458, 10.1038/nature07776 (2009)The analysis of Geisler and Theodor confirms our main phylogenetic result, that raoellids are, or include, the sister group to cetaceans. Their study expands on our findings by inferring that hippopotamids are the sister group to the combined raoellid–cetacean clade, whereas our paper had explicitly stated that our data could not address the position of the extant artiodactyl families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Thewissen J G M; Cooper Lisa Noelle; Clementz Mark T; Bajpai Sunil; Tiwari B N
Nature
2009
2009-03-19
Article information provided for research and reference use only. All rights are retained by the journal listed under publisher and/or the creator(s).
<a href="http://doi.org/10.1038/nature07775" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">10.1038/nature07775</a>
Comparative metabolomics of aging in a long-lived bat: Insights into the physiology of extreme longevity.
Animals; *Metabolomics; Chiroptera/*physiology; Feces/*chemistry; Longevity/*physiology
Vespertilionid bats (Mammalia: Order Chiroptera) live 3-10 times longer than other mammals of an equivalent body size. At present, nothing is known of how bat fecal metabolic profiles shift with age in any taxa. This study established the feasibility of using a non-invasive, fecal metabolomics approach to examine age-related differences in the fecal metabolome of young and elderly adult big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus) as an initial investigation into using metabolomics for age determination. Samples were collected from captive, known-aged big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus) from 1 to over 14 years of age: these two ages represent age groups separated by approximately 75% of the known natural lifespan of this taxon. Results showed 41 metabolites differentiated young (n = 22) and elderly (n = 6) Eptesicus. Significant differences in metabolites between young and elderly bats were associated with tryptophan metabolism and incomplete protein digestion. Results support further exploration of the physiological mechanisms bats employ to achieve exceptional longevity.
Ball Hope C; Levari-Shariati Shiva; Cooper Lisa Noelle; Aliani Michel
PloS one
2018
1905-7
Article information provided for research and reference use only. All rights are retained by the journal listed under publisher and/or the creator(s).
<a href="http://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0196154" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">10.1371/journal.pone.0196154</a>
Anthracobunids from the middle eocene of India and pakistan are stem perissodactyls.
Animals; *Fossils; India; Dugong; Elephants; Pakistan
Anthracobunidae is an Eocene family of large mammals from south Asia that is commonly considered to be part of the radiation that gave rise to elephants (proboscideans) and sea cows (sirenians). We describe a new collection of anthracobunid fossils from Middle Eocene rocks of Indo-Pakistan that more than doubles the number of known anthracobunid fossils and challenges their putative relationships, instead implying that they are stem perissodactyls. Cranial, dental, and postcranial elements allow a revision of species and the recognition of a new anthracobunid genus. Analyses of stable isotopes and long bone geometry together suggest that most anthracobunids fed on land, but spent a considerable amount of time near water. This new evidence expands our understanding of stem perissodactyl diversity and sheds new light on perissodactyl origins.
Cooper Lisa Noelle; Seiffert Erik R; Clementz Mark; Madar Sandra I; Bajpai Sunil; Hussain S Taseer; Thewissen J G M
PloS one
2014
1905-7
Article information provided for research and reference use only. All rights are retained by the journal listed under publisher and/or the creator(s).
<a href="http://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0109232" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">10.1371/journal.pone.0109232</a>
Hydrodynamic performance of the minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) flipper.
Animals; Biomechanical Phenomena; Video Recording; Extremities/anatomy & histology/*physiology; Biophysical Phenomena; Biophysics; Feeding Behavior/physiology; Minke Whale/*physiology; Swimming/*physiology; Models; Anatomic
Minke whales (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) are the smallest member of balaenopterid whales and little is known of their kinematics during feeding maneuvers. These whales have narrow and elongated flippers that are small relative to body size compared to related species such as right and gray whales. No experimental studies have addressed the hydrodynamic properties of minke whale flippers and their functional role during feeding maneuvers. This study integrated wind tunnel, locomotion and anatomical range of motion data to identify functional parameters of the cambered minke whale flipper. A full-sized cast of a minke whale flipper was used in wind tunnel testing of lift, drag and stall behavior at six speeds, corresponding to swimming speeds of 0.7-8.9 m s(-1). Flow over the model surface stalled between 10 degrees and 14 degrees angle of attack (alpha) depending on testing speed. When the leading edge was rotated ventrally, loss in lift occurred around -18 degrees alpha regardless of speed. Range of mobility in the fresh limb was approximately 40% greater than the range of positive lift-generating angles of attack predicted by wind tunnel data (+14 degrees alpha). Video footage, photographs and observations of swimming, engulfment feeding and gulping minke whales showed limb positions corresponding to low drag in wind tunnel tests, and were therefore hydrodynamically efficient. Flippers play an important role in orienting the body during feeding maneuvers as they maintain trim of the body, an action that counters drag-induced torque of the body during water and prey intake.
Cooper Lisa Noelle; Sedano Nils; Johansson Stig; May Bryan; Brown Joey D; Holliday Casey M; Kot Brian W; Fish Frank E
The Journal of experimental biology
2008
2008-06
Article information provided for research and reference use only. All rights are retained by the journal listed under publisher and/or the creator(s).
<a href="http://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.014134" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">10.1242/jeb.014134</a>
Relative growth rates of predator and prey dinosaurs reflect effects of predation.
Aging/physiology; Animals; Dinosaurs/*growth & development; Fossils; Predatory Behavior/*physiology; Sexual Maturation; Species Specificity
Hadrosaurs grew rapidly, and quantifying their growth is key to understanding life-history interactions between predators and prey during the Late Cretaceous. In this study, we longitudinally sampled a sequence of lines of arrested growth (LAGs) from an essentially full-grown hadrosaur Hypacrosaurus stebingeri (MOR 549). Spatial locations of LAGs in the femoral and tibial transverse sections of MOR 549 were measured and circumferences were calculated. For each bone, a time series of circumference data was fitted to several stochastic, discrete growth models. Our results suggest that the femur and the tibia of this specimen of Hypacrosaurus probably followed a Gompertz curve and that LAGs reportedly missing from early ontogeny were obscured by perimedullary resorption. In this specimen, death occurred at 13 years and took approximately 10-12 years to reach 95 per cent asymptotic size. The age at growth inflection, which is a proxy for reproductive maturity, occurred at approximately 2-3 years. Comparisons with several small and large predatory theropods reveal that MOR 549 grew faster and matured sooner than they did. These results suggest that Hypacrosaurus was able to partly avoid predators by outgrowing them.
Cooper Lisa Noelle; Lee Andrew H; Taper Mark L; Horner John R
Proceedings. Biological sciences
2008
2008-11
Article information provided for research and reference use only. All rights are retained by the journal listed under publisher and/or the creator(s).
<a href="http://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2008.0912" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">10.1098/rspb.2008.0912</a>
Aquatic Habits of Cetacean Ancestors: Integrating Bone Microanatomy and Stable Isotopes.
*Ecosystem; Animals; Bone and Bones/anatomy & histology/metabolism; Cetacea/*physiology; Isotope Labeling; Isotopes/metabolism
The earliest cetaceans were interpreted as semi-aquatic based on the presence of thickened bones and stable oxygen isotopes in tooth enamel. However, the origin of aquatic behaviors in cetacean relatives (e.g., raoellids, anthracotheres) remains unclear. This study reconstructs the origins of aquatic behaviors based on long bone microanatomy and stable oxygen isotopes of tooth enamel in modern and extinct cetartiodactylans. Our findings are congruent with published accounts that microanatomy can be a reliable indicator of aquatic behaviors in taxa that are obligatorily aquatic, and also highlight that some "semi-aquatic" behaviors (fleeing into the water to escape predation) may have a stronger relationship to bone microanatomy than others (herbivory in near-shore aquatic settings). Bone microanatomy is best considered with other lines of information in the land-to-sea transition of cetaceans, such as stable isotopes. This study extends our understanding of the progression of skeletal phenotypes associated with habitat shifts in the relatives of cetaceans.
Cooper Lisa Noelle; Clementz Mark T; Usip Sharon; Bajpai Sunil; Hussain S Taseer; Hieronymus Tobin L
Integrative and comparative biology
2016
2016-12
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<a href="http://doi.org/10.1093/icb/icw119" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">10.1093/icb/icw119</a>
Whales originated from aquatic artiodactyls in the Eocene epoch of India.
*Phylogeny; *Whales/anatomy & histology/classification/physiology; Animals; ARTIODACTYLA; BICUSPIDS; CETACEA; EOCENE stratigraphic geology; India; INDIA; MAMMALOGICAL research; Pakistan; Time Factors; UNGULATES; WHALES
Although the first ten million years of whale evolution are documented by a remarkable series of fossil skeletons, the link to the ancestor of cetaceans has been missing. It was known that whales are related to even-toed ungulates (artiodactyls), but until now no artiodactyls were morphologically close to early whales. Here we show that the Eocene south Asian raoellid artiodactyls are the sister group to whales. The raoellid Indohyus is similar to whales, and unlike other artiodactyls, in the structure of its ears and premolars, in the density of its limb bones and in the stable-oxygen-isotope composition of its teeth. We also show that a major dietary change occurred during the transition from artiodactyls to whales and that raoellids were aquatic waders. This indicates that aquatic life in this lineage occurred before the origin of the order Cetacea.
Thewissen J G M; Cooper Lisa Noelle; Clementz Mark T; Bajpai Sunil; Tiwari B N
Nature
2007
2007-12
Article information provided for research and reference use only. All rights are retained by the journal listed under publisher and/or the creator(s).
<a href="http://doi.org/10.1038/nature06343" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">10.1038/nature06343</a>
Evidence of Wnt/beta-catenin alterations in brain and bone of a tauopathy mouse model of Alzheimer's disease.
*Alzheimer's disease; *Beta catenin; *Bone mineral density; *Neurodegeneration; *Tauopathy; *Wnt proteins; *Wnt Signaling Pathway; Alzheimer Disease/*genetics/*metabolism; Animal; Animals; beta Catenin/metabolism; Bone and Bones/*metabolism; Bone Density; Bone Remodeling/genetics; Brain/*metabolism; Disease Models; Female; Gene Expression; Male; Mice; Osteogenesis/genetics; Osteoporosis/etiology/genetics; tau Proteins/*metabolism; Tauopathies/genetics/*metabolism; Wnt Proteins/metabolism
Low bone mineral density (BMD) is a significant comorbidity in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and may reflect systemic regulatory pathway dysfunction. Low BMD has been identified in several AD mouse models selective for amyloid-beta or tau pathology, but these deficits were attributed to diverse mechanisms. In this study, we identified common pathophysiological mechanisms accounting for bone loss and neurodegeneration in the htau mouse, a tauopathy model with an early low BMD phenotype. We investigated the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway-a cellular signaling cascade linked to both bone loss and neuropathology. We showed that low BMD persisted in male htau mice aged from 6 to 14 months, remaining significantly lower than tau-null and C57BL/6J controls. Osteogenic gene expression in female and male htau mice was markedly reduced from controls, indicating impaired bone remodeling. In both the bone and brain, htau mice showed alterations in Wnt/beta-catenin signaling genes suggestive of increased inhibition of this pathway. These findings implicate dysfunctional Wnt signaling as a potential target for addressing bone loss in AD.
Dengler-Crish Christine M; Ball Hope C; Lin Li; Novak Kimberly M; Cooper Lisa Noelle
Neurobiology of aging
2018
2018-07
Article information provided for research and reference use only. All rights are retained by the journal listed under publisher and/or the creator(s).
<a href="http://doi.org/10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2018.03.021" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2018.03.021</a>
Review and experimental evaluation of the embryonic development and evolutionary history of flipper development and hyperphalangy in dolphins (Cetacea: Mammalia).
*Biological Evolution; *cetacea; *FGF; *flipper; *WNT; Animals; Body Patterning; Dolphins/*embryology; Extremities/*embryology; Mammals
Cetaceans are the only mammals to have evolved hyperphalangy, an increase in the number of phalanges beyond the mammalian plesiomorphic condition of three phalanges per digit. In this study, cetaceans were used as a novel model to review previous studies of mammalian hyperphalangy and contribute new experimental evidence as to the molecular origins of this phenotype in embryos of the pantropical spotted dolphin (Stenella attenuata). Results show embryos of dolphins, mice, and pigs share similar spatiotemporal patterns of signaling proteins known to shape limbs of mammals (e.g., FGF8, BMP2/4, WNT, GREM). However, fetal dolphins differ in that their interdigital tissues are retained, instead of undergoing apoptosis, and that multiple waves of interdigital signals likely contribute to the patterning of supernumerary joints and phalanges in adjacent digits. Integration of fossil and experimental evidence suggests that the presence of interdigital webbing within the fossils of semi-aquatic cetaceans, recovered from the Eocene Epoch (49Ma), was probably the result of
Cooper Lisa Noelle; Sears Karen E; Armfield Brooke A; Kala Bhavneet; Hubler Merla; Thewissen J G M
Genesis (New York, N.Y. : 2000)
2018
2018-01
Article information provided for research and reference use only. All rights are retained by the journal listed under publisher and/or the creator(s).
<a href="http://doi.org/10.1002/dvg.23076" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">10.1002/dvg.23076</a>
Macroevolutionary developmental biology: Embryos, fossils, and phylogenies.
*Embryo; *Fossils; *Phylogeny; Animals; Developmental Biology/*methods; embryos; evolutionary developmental biology; fossils; macroevolution; Models; Nonmammalian; phylogenetic comparative methods; Statistical; Vertebrates
The field of evolutionary developmental biology is broadly focused on identifying the genetic and developmental mechanisms underlying morphological diversity. Connecting the genotype with the phenotype means that evo-devo research often considers a wide range of evidence, from genetics and morphology to fossils. In this commentary, we provide an overview and framework for integrating fossil ontogenetic data with developmental data using phylogenetic comparative methods to test macroevolutionary hypotheses. We survey the vertebrate fossil record of preserved embryos and discuss how phylogenetic comparative methods can integrate data from developmental genetics and paleontology. Fossil embryos provide limited, yet critical, developmental data from deep time. They help constrain when developmental innovations first appeared during the history of life and also reveal the order in which related morphologies evolved. Phylogenetic comparative methods provide a powerful statistical approach that allows evo-devo researchers to infer the presence of nonpreserved developmental traits in fossil species and to detect discordant evolutionary patterns and processes across levels of biological organization.
Organ Chris L; Cooper Lisa Noelle; Hieronymus Tobin L
Developmental dynamics : an official publication of the American Association of Anatomists
2015
2015-10
Article information provided for research and reference use only. All rights are retained by the journal listed under publisher and/or the creator(s).
<a href="http://doi.org/10.1002/dvdy.24318" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">10.1002/dvdy.24318</a>
Neuromuscular anatomy and evolution of the cetacean forelimb.
*Biological Evolution; Adaptation; Animals; Body Size; Cetacea/*anatomy & histology/physiology; Forelimb/*anatomy & histology/physiology; Humpback Whale/anatomy & histology; Movement; Muscle; Neuroanatomy; Physiological; Skeletal/*innervation/physiology; Sperm Whale/anatomy & histology
The forelimb of cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises) has been radically modified during the limb-to-flipper transition. Extant cetaceans have a soft tissue flipper encasing the manus and acting as a hydrofoil to generate lift. The neuromuscular anatomy that controls flipper movement, however, is poorly understood. This study documents flipper neuromuscular anatomy and tests the hypothesis that antebrachial muscle robustness is related to body size. Data were gathered during dissections of 22 flippers, representing 15 species (7 odontocetes, 15 mysticetes). Results were compared with published descriptions of both artiodactyls and secondarily aquatic vertebrates. Results indicate muscle robustness is best predicted by taxonomic distribution and is not a function of body size. All cetaceans have atrophied triceps muscles, an immobile cubital joint, and lack most connective tissue structures and manus muscles. Forelimbs retain only three muscle groups: triceps (only the scapular head is functional as the humeral heads are vestigal), and antebrachial extensors and flexors. Well-developed flexor and extensor muscles were found in mysticetes and basal odontocetes (i.e., physeterids, kogiids, and ziphiids), whereas later diverging odontocetes (i.e., monodontids, phocoenids, and delphinids) lack or reduce these muscles. Balaenopterid mysticetes (e.g., fin and minke whales) may actively change flipper curvature, while basal odontocetes (e.g., sperm and beaked whales) probably stiffen the flipper through isometric contraction. Later diverging odontocetes lack musculature supporting digital movements and are unable to manipulate flipper curvature. Cetacean forelimbs are unique in that they have lost agility and several soft tissue structures, but retain sensory innervations.
Cooper Lisa Noelle; Dawson Susan D; Reidenberg Joy S; Berta Annalisa
Anatomical record (Hoboken, N.J. : 2007)
2007
2007-09
Article information provided for research and reference use only. All rights are retained by the journal listed under publisher and/or the creator(s).
<a href="http://doi.org/10.1002/ar.20571" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">10.1002/ar.20571</a>
Evolution of hyperphalangy and digit reduction in the cetacean manus.
*Adaptation; *Biological Evolution; Animals; Cetacea/*anatomy & histology/physiology; Forelimb/*anatomy & histology/physiology; Morphogenesis; Newborn; Phylogeny; Physiological
Cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises) have a soft tissue flipper that encases most of the forelimb, and elongated digits with an increased number of phalanges (hyperphalangy). In addition, some cetaceans exhibit a reduction in digit number. Although toothed cetaceans (odontocetes) are pentadactylous, most baleen whales (mysticetes) are tetradactylous and also lack a metacarpal. This study conducts a survey of cetacean metacarpal and phalangeal morphologies, traces the evolution of hyperphalangy in a phylogenetic context, optimizes characters onto previously published cetacean phylogenies, and tests various digit loss hypotheses. Dissections were performed on 16 cetacean flippers representing 10 species (8 mysticetes, 2 odontocetes). Phalangeal count data were derived from forelimb radiographs (36 odontocetes, 5 mysticetes), osteological specimens of articulated forelimbs (8 mysticetes), and were supplemented with published counts. Modal phalangeal counts were coded as ordered and unpolarized characters and optimized onto two known cetacean phylogenies. Results indicate that digital ray I is reduced in many cetaceans (except Globicephala) and all elements of digital ray I were lost in tetradactylous mysticetes. Fossil evidence indicates this ray may have been lost approximately 14 Ma. Most odontocetes also reduce the number of phalangeal elements in digit V, while mysticetes typically retain the plesiomorphic condition of three phalanges. Results from modal phalangeal counts show the greatest degree of hyperphalangy in digits II and III in odontocetes and digits III and IV in mysticetes. Fossil evidence indicates cetacean hyperphalangy evolved by at least 7-8 Ma. Digit loss and digit positioning may underlie disparate flipper shapes, with narrow, elongate flippers facilitating fast swimming and broad flippers aiding slow turns. Hyperphalangy may help distribute leading edge forces, and multiple interphalangeal joints may smooth leading edge flipper contour.
Cooper Lisa Noelle; Berta Annalisa; Dawson Susan D; Reidenberg Joy S
Anatomical record (Hoboken, N.J. : 2007)
2007
2007-06
Article information provided for research and reference use only. All rights are retained by the journal listed under publisher and/or the creator(s).
<a href="http://doi.org/10.1002/ar.20532" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">10.1002/ar.20532</a>