biostudies-literatureUnknownHealey HMNIDCR NIH HHSNIGMS NIH HHSSeahorses, pipefishes, and seadragons are fishes from the family Syngnathidae that have evolved extraordinary traits including male pregnancy, elongated snouts, loss of teeth, and dermal bony armor. The developmental genetic and cellular changes that led to the evolution of these traits are largely unknown. Recent syngnathid genome assemblies revealed suggestive gene content differences and provide the opportunity for detailed genetic analyses. We created a single cell RNA sequencing atlas of Gulf pipefish embryos to understand the developmental basis of four traits: derived head shape, toothlessness, dermal armor, and male pregnancy. We completed marker gene analyses, built genetic networks, and examined spatial expression of select genes. We identified osteochondrogenic mesenchymal cellsbioRxiv : the preprint server for biology2024.04.08.588518https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC11030337biostudies-literatureSingle Cell Sequencing Provides Clues about the Developmental Genetic Basis of Evolutionary Adaptations in Syngnathid Fishes.PMC11030337F31 DE032559T32 GM007413Small CMCresko WAWoods MAPenn HBGoyal VHealey HMBassham SfalseSingle Cell Sequencing Provides Clues about the Developmental Genetic Basis of Evolutionary Adaptations in Syngnathid Fishes.Seahorses, pipefishes, and seadragons are fishes from the family Syngnathidae that have evolved extraordinary traits including male pregnancy, elongated snouts, loss of teeth, and dermal bony armor. The developmental genetic and cellular changes that led to the evolution of these traits are largely unknown. Recent syngnathid genome assemblies revealed suggestive gene content differences and provide the opportunity for detailed genetic analyses. We created a single cell RNA sequencing atlas of Gulf pipefish embryos to understand the developmental basis of four traits: derived head shape, toothlessness, dermal armor, and male pregnancy. We completed marker gene analyses, built genetic networks, and examined spatial expression of select genes. We identified osteochondrogenic mesenchymal cells2024-01-01T00:00:00Z2024 Oct2026-04-08T18:31:35.71Z2025-08-14T03:05:44.505ZS-EPMC110303373864526510.1101/2024.04.08.588518