Date of Award
2022
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Biology
Abstract
With the rapid rise of Evo-devo and the concurrent development of new imaging techniques, comparative studies of development have accelerated over the last decade. Squamates, lizards and snakes, lack a traditional experimental model species for developmental investigations, yet are important for understanding fundamental evolutionary questions because of their remarkable diversity. However, several squamate species have growing communities of biologists building new resources for comparative and experimental studies of lizard development. Creation of detailed embryological atlases for these species will help promote their advancement. In the past, scientists have had to rely on destructive methods to take apart biological samples which allows them to visualize the 3-dimensional anatomy. However, X-ray computed tomography, CT scanning, allows for sub-10 micron, non-destructive imaging of vertebrate embryos. This technique allows not only the ability to analyze the hard tissues, but also, with the help of chemical counterstains, the ability to differentiate among soft tissues. We are creating a detailed, 3D embryological atlas of the model lizard species, Anolis sagrei, using micro-CT scanning. For a subset of stages we are reconstructing the development of both hard and soft tissues, such as bone, muscle, and neural tissues. All reconstructions are being conducted in the free software package 3D Slicer. We are arranging both 2D images that can be used for virtual histology and 3D models of each stage. This anatomical atlas will be essential for all research to do with Anolis development and will build a comprehensive understanding of the embryonic development of anoles.
Recommended Citation
Epperlein, Lilian, "Three-Dimensional Staging Series of Anolis Sagrei" (2022). Master's Theses. 4406.
https://ecommons.luc.edu/luc_theses/4406
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.
Copyright Statement
Copyright © 2022 Lilian Epperlein
