Shell Anomalies in the European Aquatic Stem Turtle <i>Pleurosternon bullockii</i> (Paracryptodira, Pleurosternidae)
The uppermost Jurassic to lowermost Cretaceous stem turtle <i>Pleurosternon bullockii</i> is the pleurosternid (Testudinata, Paracryptodira) known by the largest number of specimens worldwide, composing the largest European collection of Lower Cretaceous complete and partial shells for a...
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MDPI AG
2021-10-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/13/11/518 |
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| author | Andrea Guerrero Adán Pérez-García |
| author_facet | Andrea Guerrero Adán Pérez-García |
| author_sort | Andrea Guerrero |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The uppermost Jurassic to lowermost Cretaceous stem turtle <i>Pleurosternon bullockii</i> is the pleurosternid (Testudinata, Paracryptodira) known by the largest number of specimens worldwide, composing the largest European collection of Lower Cretaceous complete and partial shells for a turtle taxon. The availability of numerous specimens as well as their generally good preservation allowed for recent detailed characterization of the shell of this species, including states that are variable at the intraspecific level (individual variability, sexual dimorphism, and ontogenetic development). However, extreme cases of morphological variation corresponding to anomalies have not been addressed in detail, neither for <i>P. bullockii</i> nor for any other member of Paracryptodira. In this context, the study of several shell anomalies in <i>P. bullockii</i> is carried out here. Fourteen specimens showing anomalies are recognized and examined here to determine the frequency and distribution of these shell anatomical deviations. All these anomalies are described and figured. The morphogenetic cause of each of them is discussed. As a consequence, a relatively broad spectrum of anomalies is reported for <i>P. bullockii</i>. None of the anomalies seem to present negative consequences for vital activities of the specimens since none compromised the main functions of the shell. |
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| format | Article |
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| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1424-2818 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T05:34:46Z |
| publishDate | 2021-10-01 |
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| spelling | doaj.art-c3c99b2900ea416c926818e90f0433ce2023-11-22T23:03:30ZengMDPI AGDiversity1424-28182021-10-01131151810.3390/d13110518Shell Anomalies in the European Aquatic Stem Turtle <i>Pleurosternon bullockii</i> (Paracryptodira, Pleurosternidae)Andrea Guerrero0Adán Pérez-García1Grupo de Biología Evolutiva, Facultad de Ciencias, UNED, Avda. Esparta s/n, Las Rozas, 28232 Madrid, SpainGrupo de Biología Evolutiva, Facultad de Ciencias, UNED, Avda. Esparta s/n, Las Rozas, 28232 Madrid, SpainThe uppermost Jurassic to lowermost Cretaceous stem turtle <i>Pleurosternon bullockii</i> is the pleurosternid (Testudinata, Paracryptodira) known by the largest number of specimens worldwide, composing the largest European collection of Lower Cretaceous complete and partial shells for a turtle taxon. The availability of numerous specimens as well as their generally good preservation allowed for recent detailed characterization of the shell of this species, including states that are variable at the intraspecific level (individual variability, sexual dimorphism, and ontogenetic development). However, extreme cases of morphological variation corresponding to anomalies have not been addressed in detail, neither for <i>P. bullockii</i> nor for any other member of Paracryptodira. In this context, the study of several shell anomalies in <i>P. bullockii</i> is carried out here. Fourteen specimens showing anomalies are recognized and examined here to determine the frequency and distribution of these shell anatomical deviations. All these anomalies are described and figured. The morphogenetic cause of each of them is discussed. As a consequence, a relatively broad spectrum of anomalies is reported for <i>P. bullockii</i>. None of the anomalies seem to present negative consequences for vital activities of the specimens since none compromised the main functions of the shell.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/13/11/518Testudinatastem TestudinespleurosternidsMesozoicUnited Kingdommorphological deviations |
| spellingShingle | Andrea Guerrero Adán Pérez-García Shell Anomalies in the European Aquatic Stem Turtle <i>Pleurosternon bullockii</i> (Paracryptodira, Pleurosternidae) Diversity Testudinata stem Testudines pleurosternids Mesozoic United Kingdom morphological deviations |
| title | Shell Anomalies in the European Aquatic Stem Turtle <i>Pleurosternon bullockii</i> (Paracryptodira, Pleurosternidae) |
| title_full | Shell Anomalies in the European Aquatic Stem Turtle <i>Pleurosternon bullockii</i> (Paracryptodira, Pleurosternidae) |
| title_fullStr | Shell Anomalies in the European Aquatic Stem Turtle <i>Pleurosternon bullockii</i> (Paracryptodira, Pleurosternidae) |
| title_full_unstemmed | Shell Anomalies in the European Aquatic Stem Turtle <i>Pleurosternon bullockii</i> (Paracryptodira, Pleurosternidae) |
| title_short | Shell Anomalies in the European Aquatic Stem Turtle <i>Pleurosternon bullockii</i> (Paracryptodira, Pleurosternidae) |
| title_sort | shell anomalies in the european aquatic stem turtle i pleurosternon bullockii i paracryptodira pleurosternidae |
| topic | Testudinata stem Testudines pleurosternids Mesozoic United Kingdom morphological deviations |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/13/11/518 |
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