Study of the carapace shape and growth in two Galápagos tortoise lineages. 2011

Ylenia Chiari, and Julien Claude
Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8106, USA. yle@yleniachiari.it

Galápagos tortoises possess two main shell forms, domed and saddleback, that correlate with the biogeographic history of this species group. However, the lack of description of morphological shell variation within and among populations has prevented the understanding of the contribution of evolutionary forces and the potential role of ontogeny in shaping morphological shell differences. Here, we analyze two lineages of Galápagos tortoises inhabiting Santa Cruz Island by applying geometric morphometrics in combination with a photogrammetry 3D reconstruction method on a set of tortoises of different ages (from juvenile to adult). The aim of this study is to describe morphological features on the carapace that could be used for taxonomic recognition by taking into account confounding factors, such as the morphological changes occurring during growth. Our results indicate that despite the shared similarities of growth patterns and of morphological changes observed during growth, the two lineages and the different sexes can be distinguished on the basis of distinct carapace features. Lineages differ by the shape of the vertebral (especially concerning their width) and pleural scutes, with one lineage having a more compressed carapace shape, whereas the other possesses a carapace that is more elongated and expanded toward the sides as well as an higher positioning of the first vertebral scute. Furthermore, females have a more elongated and wider carapace shape than males. Finally, carapace shape changes with growth, with vertebral scutes becoming narrower and pleural scutes becoming larger during late ontogeny.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D004484 Ecuador A country in western South America, bordering the Pacific Ocean at the equator, between Colombia and Peru. Galapagos Islands
D005075 Biological Evolution The process of cumulative change over successive generations through which organisms acquire their distinguishing morphological and physiological characteristics. Evolution, Biological
D005260 Female Females
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D000825 Animal Structures Organs and other anatomical structures of non-human vertebrate and invertebrate animals. Animal Organs,Animal Organ,Animal Structure,Organ, Animal,Organs, Animal,Structure, Animal,Structures, Animal
D012727 Sex Characteristics Those characteristics that distinguish one SEX from the other. The primary sex characteristics are the OVARIES and TESTES and their related hormones. Secondary sex characteristics are those which are masculine or feminine but not directly related to reproduction. Gender Characteristics,Gender Differences,Gender Dimorphism,Sex Differences,Sex Dimorphism,Sexual Dichromatism,Sexual Dimorphism,Characteristic, Gender,Characteristic, Sex,Dichromatism, Sexual,Dichromatisms, Sexual,Difference, Sex,Dimorphism, Gender,Dimorphism, Sex,Dimorphism, Sexual,Gender Characteristic,Gender Difference,Gender Dimorphisms,Sex Characteristic,Sex Difference,Sex Dimorphisms,Sexual Dichromatisms,Sexual Dimorphisms
D014426 Turtles Any reptile including tortoises, fresh water, and marine species of the order Testudines with a body encased in a bony or cartilaginous shell consisting of a top (carapace) and a bottom (plastron) derived from the ribs. Sea Turtles,Terrapins,Tortoises,Sea Turtle,Terrapin,Tortoise,Turtle,Turtle, Sea,Turtles, Sea
D049628 Body Size The physical measurements of a body. Body Sizes,Size, Body,Sizes, Body

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