[Is there a spatial relationship between the level of origin of somitic myogenic cells and their terminal site in the wing? (author's transl)].

: The spatial distribution of myogenic somitic cells in the intrinsic wing musculature has been studied in heterospecific quail/check recombinants. The experimental procedure consisted in replacing at 2 days of incubation two consecutive or on single somite of the wing level of a chick host by homologous quail somitic mesoderm. Histological examination revealed that no group of two consecutive somites between somites 13 and 21 contributed exclusively to one particular dorsal or ventral muscle or muscle group. At the very most, in some cases, a relatively weak participation of quail myogenic cells in the formation of dorsal muscles (such as triceps, forearm extensors and hand adductors) was observed when anterior somites (level 13 to 17) were exchanged. In conclusion, the spatial distribution of quail cells in the musculature of these heterospecific wings does not sustain the idea of a strict relationship between a given brachial somite and one particular intrinsic wing muscle or muscle group.