Seminars in cell & developmental biology · 3 authors, 1 centre
This summary was generated by AI from a single paper. It has not been reviewed by a clinician and is not clinical advice. Verify against the source before acting on it.
This narrative review synthesizes how variation in neural crest cell development generates phenotypic diversity in wild vertebrate populations, encompassing morphology, physiology, and behavior. It argues that this cell type is a central source of microevolutionary variation under natural and sexual selection.
This narrative review discusses the role of neural crest cells (NCCs) as a developmental origin for a wide range of vertebrate traits subject to natural and sexual selection. The authors synthesize evidence linking NCC variation to phenotypic diversity in morphology, pigmentation, and behavior across wild populations. They highlight gaps in understanding, particularly the lack of empirical examples directly linking NCC genetics to behavioral or neurological traits, and the understudied roles of specific NCC-derived cell types like Schwann cells and enteric nerves. The review concludes that NCCs are a central source of microevolutionary diversity but calls for more interdisciplinary research integrating evolutionary ecology, developmental biology, and molecular genetics to fully understand their evolutionary potential and constraints.
