From fish to modern humans – comparative anatomy, homologies and evolution of the head and neck musculature

摘要: In a recent paper Diogo (2008) reported the results of first part an investigation comparative anatomy, homologies and evolution head neck muscles osteichthyans (bony fish + tetrapods). That report mainly focused on actinopterygian fish, but also compared these with certain non-mammalian sarcopterygians. The present focuses sarcopterygians, particularly how have evolved during transitions from sarcopterygian tetrapods to monotreme therian mammals, including modern humans. data obtained our dissections representative members amphibians, reptiles, monotremes such as rodents, tree-shrews, colugos primates, humans, are information available in literature. Our observations comparisons indicate that number mandibular true branchial (sensu this work) humans is smaller than found mammals rats monotremes, well reptiles lizards. Regarding pharyngeal musculature, there increase at time evolutionary transition leading was no significant emergence higher primates hypobranchial relatively constant within we examined, although case more other mammals. laryngeal facial greater most taxa. Interestingly, possess peculiar not majority mammalian taxa; seems corroborate crucial role played by vocal communication expressions primate especially human evolution. It hoped compiling, one paper, about wide range work could be useful anatomists, biologists functional morphologists researchers working fields developmental biology, genetics and/or biology.