Bat wing development

Through adaptive evolution these structures in bats have undergone many morphological changes, such as webbed digits, elongation of the forelimb, and reduction in bone thickness.

[1] Recently, there have been comparative studies of mouse and bat forelimb development to understand the genetic basis of morphological evolution.

Consequently, the bat wing is a valuable evo-devo model for studying the evolution of vertebrate limb diversity.

The apical ectodermal ridge is a structure found at the distal most tip which becomes a key signaling center for the developing limb.

[citation needed] Although many of the molecular mechanisms involved in limb development are conserved between mouse and bat, there are a number of differences primarily seen in gene expression patterns.

Finally, applying ectopic BMPs and FGF antagonists to developing bat wings results in apoptosis of the patagium.

[9] In addition to interdigit apoptosis, BMPs have been shown to affect chondrocyte proliferation and digit length in mice.

In situ hybridization studies have found that the Hoxd13 expression domain in bat limbs has been shifted posteriorly in comparison to mouse.