Chapter 16, Problem 2DQ

Summary Introduction

To review:

The mechanism of scutes (the keratinous external plates covering the belly and back) pattern formation in turtle.

Introduction:

In case of majority of turtles, the shell is covered by the large epidermal scutes, where the boundaries are marked by narrow skin depressions characterized as horny furrows. The specific mosaic formed by the scutes is not observed in other squamate animals. The significant difference in size of the turtle, do not form distinct transverse rows, which is a characteristic of pholidosis of the majority of reptiles, like lizards, snakes, and crocodiles.