Ontogeny and phylogeny of the mammalian chondrocranium: the cupula nasi anterior and associated structures of the anterior head region.

• publication
• 07-12-2018

Hüppi E, Sánchez-Villagra MR, Tzika AC, Werneburg I. Zoological Lett 2018 ;4():29. PMC6260904. 10.1186/s40851-018-0112-0. 112.

The study of chondrocrania has a long tradition with a focus on single specimens and stages. It revealed great interspecific diversity and a notion of intraspecific variation. As an embryonic structure, the chondrocranium is subject to major changes in ontogeny with resorption and ossification of different cartilaginous structures. The cupula nasi anterior is the anteriormost portion of the cartilaginous nasal capsule and is expected to mirror much of the animal's life history and lifestyle. Its diversity in mammals is reflected in the external nasal anatomy of newborns. Marsupials and placentals show marked differences, likely related to breathing and suckling behavior.

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