Fig. 3

Fusion of plagiopatagium and limb epithelium. A–E Hematoxylin and eosin staining of Carollia sections showing plagiopatagium epithelium. Arrow in A indicates stratified epithelia in limb, at St15. Box in A highlights plagiopatagium. F Stratification of plagiopatagium across species. The mean number of stratified cells was counted for each image from a minimum of 10 basal–apical cell stacks. The mean was then calculated across three to five sections. G, H E-cadherin expression in Carollia plagiopatagium at St14(G) and St16(H). I–T Protein localization in Carollia in plagiopatagium epithelium between St14 and St16 using antibodies against P63 (I–K), pan cytokeratin (L–N), and Keratin 17 (O–Q). Arrowhead in M indicates epithelial seam formed by merging of plagiopatagium and forelimb, arrow in O indicates initial K17 expression at the region joining the limb to the plagiopatagium. R–T TUNEL apoptosis assay in Carollia plagiopatagium between St14 and St16. Arrow indicate positive TUNEL staining. U–W Active Caspase 3 (CASP3) immunofluorescence apoptosis assay in Carollia plagiopatagium between St14 and St16. Arrows indicate positive staining. All sections are in the coronal plane. FL—forelimb; P—plagiopatagium