Variability of the scutes of the turtle shell: mechanisms of morphogenesis and the nature of anomalies

Authors

  • Gennadi Cherepanov Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Faculty of Biology, Saint Petersburg State University, Universitetskaya nab., 7–9, Saint Petersburg, 199034, Russian Federation https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7523-566X

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21638/11701/spbu03.2016.328

Abstract

The morphogenesis of the horny scutes in turtle shell was studied. It was shown that the position of the scute rudiments (epidermal placodes) is determined by somatic segmentation of the turtle embryo. It was found that scute rudiments are formed exclusively in the areas of septal depressions — in places where transversal miosepta attached to the skin. Intraspecific variability of folidosis due to the presence of free septal depressions that can “fill” extraordinary placodes. These aberrations have a high frequency and, as a rule, lead to asymmetry of folidosis. Refs 10. Figs 1.

Keywords:

turtle shell, horny scutes, morphogenesis, anomalies

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References

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Published

2016-09-26

How to Cite

Cherepanov, G. (2016). Variability of the scutes of the turtle shell: mechanisms of morphogenesis and the nature of anomalies. Biological Communications, (3), 170–174. https://doi.org/10.21638/11701/spbu03.2016.328

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