Evolution of organogenesis and the origin of altriciality in mammals

• DOI: 10.1111/ede.12194
• Publication Date: 2016-07-12T10:43:08Z
• Authors: Ingmar Werneburg; Michel Laurin; Daisuke Koyabu; Marcelo R. Sánche...
• Keywords: Organogenesis; Precocial; Altricial; Evolution of mammals; Macroevolution; Placentation; Body plan

Mammals feature not only great phenotypic disparity, but also diverse growth and life history patterns, especially in maturity level at birth, ranging from altriciality to precocity. Gestation length, morphology other markers of are fundamental our understanding mammalian evolution. Based on the first synthesis embryological data study new ontogenetic series, we reconstructed estimates ancestral chronology organogenesis life-history modes placental mammals. We found that ancestor marsupial mammals was placental-like birth had a long, marsupial-like infancy. hypothesize viviparity might have evolved association with extension after enabled through lactation, is inherited earliest amniotes. The precocial lifestyle extant sauropsids many were acquired secondarily. base conclusions best provide comprehensive discussion methods used limitations dataset. most dataset ever published, "rescue" old literature sources, apply available illustrate thus an approach how investigate comparatively macroevolution.