Condensate-driven Morphogenesis: Mechanisms of Patagium Formation

Gliding, as an effective evolutionary strategy, has independently arisen across multiple marsupial species. The fold of skin stretched between the fore- and hindlimbs that enables gliding is known as the patagium. During the early stages of patagium morphogenesis, Wnt5a is highly expressed in the primordium. Building on the hypotheses that supercellular mesenchymal condensates act as signaling centers and that dermal cells exhibit durotactic behavior, we present a mathematical model that integrates both mechanical and molecular processes driving patagium formation. We discuss our numerical results in comparison with experimental imaging data, drawing connections between constraints of cellular self-organization and tissue growth.