Ontogenetic and inter-elemental osteohistological variability in the leopard tortoise Stigmochelys pardalis.

ABSTRACT: Testudines are a group of reptiles characterized by the presence of a shell covered by keratinous shields. Stigmochelys pardalis is the most widely distributed terrestrial testudine in southern Africa. Although relatively common with some life history traits being well known, the growth of this species has yet to be studied in any detail. The bone microanatomy of this clade differs from that found in other amniotes, where terrestrial species tend to display characteristics normally seen in aquatic species and vice versa. A detailed histological analysis of the limb bones of S. pardalis reveals extensive variation through ontogeny. Cortical bone becomes increasingly thicker through ontogeny and is finally resorbed in the late sub-adult stage, resulting in a thin cortex and a l

SUBMITTER: Botha AE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6924341 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature