MODELING THE SPATIAL PATTERNING OF TEETH PRIMORDIA IN THE ALLIGATOR

We propose a model mechanism for the initiation and spatial positionin g of teeth primordia in the alligator, Alligator mississippiensis. Det ailed embryological studies by Westergaard and Ferguson (1986, 1987, 1 990) have shown that jaw growth plays a crucial role in the developmen tal patterning of the tooth initiation process. Based on biological da ta we develop a dynamic patterning mechanism, which crucially includes domain growth. The mechanism can reproduce the spatial pattern develo pment of the first seven teeth primordia in each half jaw of A. missis sippiensis. The results for the precise spatio-temporal sequence compa re well with experiment. Simulation of the model also predicts that ce rtain transplantations can alter the spatial sequence of teeth primord ia initiation.