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However, the soft shell turtles, pig-nose turtles and the leatherback sea turtle have lost the scutes and reduced the ossification of the shell. This leaves the shell covered only by skin. [13] These are all highly aquatic forms. The evolution of the turtle's shell is unique because of how the carapace represents transformed vertebrae and ribs.
Odontochelys semitestacea (meaning "toothed turtle with a half-shell") is a Late Triassic relative of turtles [1] before Pappochelys was discovered and Eunotosaurus was redescribed, [2] Odontochelys was considered the oldest undisputed member of Pantestudines (i.e. a stem-turtle).
Furthermore, some traits that are present in modern turtles are not present in Proganochelys and therefore must have come after the evolution of the shell. For instance, jaw differentiation, the fusion of the vomer, and the loss of the lacrimal are clear examples of traits that evolved after the evolution of the shell in Proganochelys. [10]
Aquatic turtles have flatter, smoother shells that allow them to cut through the water. Sea turtles in particular have streamlined shells that reduce drag and increase stability in the open ocean. Some turtle species have pointy or spiked shells that provide extra protection from predators and camouflage against the leafy ground. The lumps of a ...
The baby sea turtles break free of the egg shell, dig through the sand, and crawl into the sea. Most species of sea turtles hatch at night. However, the Kemp's ridley sea turtle commonly hatches during the day. Sea turtle nests that hatch during the day are more vulnerable to predators, and may encounter more human activity on the beach.
Pantestudines or Pan-Testudines is the proposed group of all reptiles more closely related to turtles than to any other living animal. It includes both modern turtles (crown group turtles, also known as Testudines) and all of their extinct relatives (also known as stem-turtles). [2] Pantestudines with a complete shell are placed in the clade ...
The succulent is made up of vines covered in green leaves with white veins, and they look exactly like turtle shells. Though small, its vines grow quickly in a sort of cascading effect, making ...
Testudinata is the group of all tetrapods with a true turtle shell. It includes both modern turtles (Testudines) and many of their extinct, shelled relatives (stem-turtles), though excluding Odontochelys and Eorhynchochelys, which are placed in the more inclusive Pantestudines.