Zexia Gao

Co-option of a tendon-associated osteogenic program drives the evolutionary plasticity of intermuscular bones in teleosts

Intermuscular bones (IBs) are critical yet poorly understood evolutionary specializations. These bones exhibit considerable morphological variability, proposed as adaptations to teleost diversification; however, the explicit adaptive and evolutionary mechanisms remain unresolved....

Comparative Analysis of Intermuscular Bones in Five Characiform Species and Their Early Development in Tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum)

Intermuscular bones (IBs) are spicule-like, ossified structures located in the myosepta of muscles on either side of the vertebrae that are unique to several orders of teleost fishes, including Order Characiformes, for which research on the characteristics of IBs is limited. We i...