Neural crest
The Neural crest (NC) has been described and studied as a critical component in the evolution of vertebrates, specifically amniotes 1).
see Neural crest cell.
The potential of the NC and its diverse migration with its stem cell-like nature simultaneously lends the NC to further study in the genesis of tumors. It is particularly useful in studying pigmented lesions because, by definition, these lesions are marked with pigment and can potentially recapitulate an NC-derived, melanocytic genetic program.
1)
Green SA, Simoes-Costa M, Bronner ME. Evolution of vertebrates as viewed from the crest. Nature. 2015;520(7548):474–482.