Author:
Cherepanov Gennady,Obraztsova Ekaterina,Shvets Sofiia,Danilov Igor
Abstract
The anomalies of the vertebral and pleural scutes in the Middle Jurassiс turtle Annemys variabilis (Xinjiangchelyidae) from the Berezovsk coal mine (Krasnoyarsk Territory, Russia) have been studied based of more than 1000 isolated neural plates. Symmetric and asymmetric abnormal scute patterns have been found. Comparison of the anomalies as well as their frequencies in Annemys variabilis and extant turtles demonstrates similar abnormal scute patterns. It is assumed that the high level of the scute variation of Annemys variabilis is caused by the instability of the developmental mechanisms, which are common for all turtles.
Publisher
Saint Petersburg State University
Subject
General Agricultural and Biological Sciences,General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology