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Reconsideration of skeletal development of Chelydra serpentina (Reptilia: Testudinata: Chelydridae): evidence for intraspecific variation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 February 2005

Christopher A. Sheil
Affiliation:
Division of Herpetology, Natural History Museum and Biodiversity Research Center, and Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, The University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045-2454, U.S.A.
Eli Greenbaum
Affiliation:
Division of Herpetology, Natural History Museum and Biodiversity Research Center, and Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, The University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045-2454, U.S.A.
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Abstract

Patterns of formation and sequence of ossification of the entire skeleton are described for the snapping turtle Chelydra serpentina, based on new and previously published data. Differences in the sequences of ossification events are described and demonstrate considerable intraspecific variation in these developmental data. The chondrocranium of a late developmental-stage specimen is described and illustrated as baseline data for comparative studies. Patterns of formation and chondrification of forelimb and hind limb elements are generally consistent with those of previous studies; however, conspicuous differences in the patterns of ossification are observed among metapodial and phalangeal elements. In the cranium, patterns of ossification of dermal elements are generally more variable than are those of endochondral elements of the braincase, and as in previous studies, endochondral elements ossify after dermal elements. Documented intraspecific variation in sequence and timing of formation, chondrification, and ossification of skeletal elements should serve as a caveat for those conducting studies of phylogeny, heterochrony, and evolution with these data. Causes of natural and induced variation are discussed briefly.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© 2005 The Zoological Society of London

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