Evolution of the Turtle Body Plan by the Folding and Creation of New Muscle Connections

The turtle shell offers a fascinating case study of vertebrate evolution, based on the modification of a common body plan. The carapace is formed from ribs, which encapsulate the scapula; this stands in contrast to the typical amniote body plan and serves as a key to understanding turtle evolution....

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science) 2009-07, Vol.325 (5937), p.193-196
Main Authors: Nagashima, Hiroshi, Sugahara, Fumiaki, Takechi, Masaki, Ericsson, Rolf, Kawashima-Ohya, Yoshie, Narita, Yuichi, Kuratani, Shigeru
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anatomy
Animals
Biological and medical sciences
Biological Evolution
Body Patterning
Chick Embryo
Chickens
Comparative analysis
Connectivity
Developmental biology
Embryo, Nonmammalian - anatomy & histology
Embryology: invertebrates and vertebrates. Teratology
Embryonic Development
Embryos
Evolution
Evolutionary biology
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Genetics of eukaryotes. Biological and molecular evolution
Integument
Mice
Muscle Development
Muscle, Skeletal - anatomy & histology
Muscle, Skeletal - embryology
Musculoskeletal Development
Musculoskeletal system
Organogenesis. Fetal development
Organogenesis. Physiological fonctions
Reptiles & amphibians
Ribs
Ribs - anatomy & histology
Ribs - embryology
Scapula
Scapula - anatomy & histology
Scapula - embryology
Turtles
Turtles - anatomy & histology
Turtles - embryology
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Summary:The turtle shell offers a fascinating case study of vertebrate evolution, based on the modification of a common body plan. The carapace is formed from ribs, which encapsulate the scapula; this stands in contrast to the typical amniote body plan and serves as a key to understanding turtle evolution. Comparative analyses of musculoskeletal development between the Chinese soft-shelled turtle and other amniotes revealed that initial turtle development conforms to the amniote pattern; however, during embryogenesis, lateral rib growth results in a shift of elements. In addition, some limb muscles establish new turtle-specific attachments associated with carapace formation. We propose that the evolutionary origin of the turtle body plan results from heterotopy based on folding and novel connectivities.
ISSN:0036-8075
1095-9203
DOI:10.1126/science.1173826