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A developmental staging system and musculoskeletal development sequence of the common musk turtle ( Sternotherus odoratus )
Author(s) -
Smith Paredes Daniel,
Lord Arianna,
Meyer Dalton,
Bhullar BhartAnjan S.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
developmental dynamics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.634
H-Index - 141
eISSN - 1097-0177
pISSN - 1058-8388
DOI - 10.1002/dvdy.210
Subject(s) - biology , turtle (robot) , body plan , developmental biology , evolutionary biology , zoology , in ovo , anatomy , ecology , fishery , microbiology and biotechnology , embryo
Background The extremely derived body plan of turtles has sparked a great interest in studying their developmental biology. Here, we describe the embryonic development of the Stinkpot, or common musk turtle ( Sternotherus odoratus ), a small aquatic turtle from the family Kinosternidae. Results We identify 20 distinct developmental stages, some comparable to stages described by previous studies on other turtles and some in between these, improving the resolution of the generalities of turtle development. We provide a detailed account of both the external morphology and skeletal development, as well as a general look at the early stages of muscular development until the attainment of the adult muscular anatomical pattern. Conclusions Several potential skeletal and muscular apomorphies of turtles are identified or elaborated. The musk turtle, with its small size and hard‐shelled egg, could become an important species for the study of turtle evolution and development, suitable for in ovo experimentation and late stage imaging of well‐advanced anatomical features.