Lesson plan
Dermatocranium
The dermatocranium is the portion of the vertebrate skull that is composed of dermal bone, as opposed to the chondrocranium and splanchnocranium, which are composed of endochondral bone. Bones of the dermatocranium originate from integumentary bony armour in the earliest fishes, only later fusing to the endochondral skull bones. The dermatocranium comprises the skull roof, the facial skeleton, and—in fishes—the opercular bones. During the early evolution of tetrapods, a number of the bones in the posterior skull separated to become the dermal portions of the shoulder girdle.
Article summary
The dermatocranium is the portion of the vertebrate skull that is composed of dermal bone, as opposed to the chondrocranium and splanchnocranium, which are composed of endochondral bone. Bones of the dermatocranium originate from integumentary bony armour in the earliest fishes, only later fusing to the endochondral skull bones. The dermatocranium comprises the skull roof, the facial skeleton, and—in fishes—the opercular bones. During the early evolution of tetrapods, a number of the bones in the posterior skull separated to become the dermal portions of the shoulder girdle.
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Discussion questions
- Summarise the article in your own words. Which single claim would you verify first, and why?
- Which claim in this article is most likely to be revised as the sources update? How would you check its current status?
- If two sources disagreed about one of these facts, what would you need in order to trust one over the other?
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Key claims and bibliography are generated from the same tracked claims and sources as the article page.