Document Detail


Comparative anatomy and phylogenetic distribution of the mammalian cecal appendix.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  19678866     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
A recently improved understanding of gut immunity has merged with current thinking in biological and medical science, pointing to an apparent function of the mammalian cecal appendix as a safe-house for symbiotic gut microbes, preserving the flora during times of gastrointestinal infection in societies without modern medicine. This function is potentially a selective force for the evolution and maintenance of the appendix, and provides an impetus for reassessment of the evolution of the appendix. A comparative anatomical approach reveals three apparent morphotypes of the cecal appendix, as well as appendix-like structures in some species that lack a true cecal appendix. Cladistic analyses indicate that the appendix has evolved independently at least twice (at least once in diprotodont marsupials and at least once in Euarchontoglires), shows a highly significant (P < 0.0001) phylogenetic signal in its distribution, and has been maintained in mammalian evolution for 80 million years or longer.
Authors:
H F Smith; R E Fisher; M L Everett; A D Thomas; R Randal Bollinger; W Parker
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Comparative Study; Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't     Date:  2009-08-12
Journal Detail:
Title:  Journal of evolutionary biology     Volume:  22     ISSN:  1420-9101     ISO Abbreviation:  J. Evol. Biol.     Publication Date:  2009 Oct 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2009-09-22     Completed Date:  2009-11-27     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  8809954     Medline TA:  J Evol Biol     Country:  Switzerland    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  1984-99     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, in Partnership with Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ, USA.
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Animals
Cecum / anatomy & histology*,  microbiology
Mammals / anatomy & histology*,  classification*
Phylogeny*
Grant Support
ID/Acronym/Agency:
P30 DK34987/DK/NIDDK NIH HHS; R01 HL60232-03/HL/NHLBI NIH HHS

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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