Major
Physics
Anticipated Graduation Year
Spring 2021
Access Type
Open Access
Abstract
Little is known about reptilian embryonic and sexual development. While lizards display characteristics quite different from other classes of vertebrates, scientists often ascribe mammalian processes to reptiles. The purpose of this study is to examine genital development in a parthenogenetic, all-female lizard species, Lepidodactylus lugubris. Although this species is fully female as an adult, all embryos examined possess well-developed male genitalia. We characterize the extent of cell proliferation in the genitalia at different points in development. This data will be the first step towards telling us whether mammalian processes of differentiation hold significance across biological classes.
Faculty Mentors & Instructors
Thomas Sanger, Professor, Department of Biology
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.
Genital Development in an All-Female Lizard Species, Lepidodactylus lugubris
Little is known about reptilian embryonic and sexual development. While lizards display characteristics quite different from other classes of vertebrates, scientists often ascribe mammalian processes to reptiles. The purpose of this study is to examine genital development in a parthenogenetic, all-female lizard species, Lepidodactylus lugubris. Although this species is fully female as an adult, all embryos examined possess well-developed male genitalia. We characterize the extent of cell proliferation in the genitalia at different points in development. This data will be the first step towards telling us whether mammalian processes of differentiation hold significance across biological classes.