Geometric morphometrics of the shoulder girdle in extant turtles (Chelonii)

Marion Depecker (1) , Christine Berge (1) , Sabine Renous (1) , Xavier Penin (1)

1 AESO - Adaptations et évolution des systèmes ostéomusculaires

The aim of this study was to identify shape patterns of the shoulder girdle in relation to different functional and environmental behaviours in turtles. The Procustes method was used to compare the shoulder girdles (scapula and coracoid) of 88 adult extant turtles. The results indicate that four shape patterns can be distinguished. The shoulder girdles of (1) terrestrial (Testudinidae), (2) highly aquatic freshwater (Trionychidae, Carettochelyidae) and (3) marine turtles (Cheloniidae, Dermochelydae) correspond to three specialized morphological patterns, whereas the shoulder girdle of (4)semi-aquatic freshwater turtles (Bataguridae, Chelidae, Chelydridae, Emydidae, Kinosternidae, Pelomedusidae, Platysternidae, Podocnemididae) is more generalized. In terrestrial turtles, the long scapular prong and the short coracoid are associated with a domed shell and a mode of locomotion in which walking is predominant. By contrast, higly aquatic freshwater turtles share traits with marine turtles. In both, the short scapular prong and the long coracoid are associated with a flat-shell, and swimming locomotion. The enlarged attachment site of the biceps, coracobrachialis magnus, and supracoracoideus also give these strong swimmers a mechanical advantage during adduction and retraction of the arm. Increasing size leads to allometrical shape changes that emphasize mechanical efficiency both in terrestrial and in aquatic turtles

Mots clés: Chelonians; coracoid; locomotion; Procrustes analysis; scapula; shape pattern.; shape pattern

Domaines: Biodiversité

Marion Depecker, Christine Berge, Sabine Renous, Xavier Penin. Geometric morphometrics of the shoulder girdle in extant turtles (Chelonii). 2006. ⟨hal-00109990⟩