The progression of the substantia nigra over time from its initial formation until its mature state. The substantia nigra is the layer of gray substance that separates the posterior parts of the cerebral peduncles (tegmentum mesencephali) from the anterior parts; it normally includes a posterior compact part with many pigmented cells (pars compacta) and an anterior reticular part whose cells contain little pigment (pars reticularis). [ http://openisbn.com/search.php?q=0878937420&isbn=1/ GOC:cls http://openisbn.com/search.php?q=0838580343&isbn=1/ GOC:dph GOC:dgh GOC:jid http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/go/references/0000021 ]