Just how did The answer lies deep within one group of cells. Vertebrates come in a myriad of forms, from birds with delicate beaks and sharks with massive jaws to boldly patterned zebras, yet these creatures all share common, and far less complex, ancestors.
More than 500 million years ago, vertebrates left simple aquatic filter-feeders behind and started to evolve the vast range of specialised features we see today – and all of this variety stems from one group of cells called neural crest cells.
A team from Northwestern University, Illinois, USA, found that these cells are different from other embryonic cells, which have their potential restricted as an embryo develops. Instead neural crest cells retain the ability to create new features by using a distinct ‘genetic toolkit’ that allows a mind-boggling variety of tissues to arise from a population of single cells.
The researchers believe that neural crest cells have always had this ability, but it was not until the time was right that their development potential was unleashed and vertebrates arose with all of their incredible diversity.