Carapace of the African Sideneck turtle Olukole et al. Morphological Analysis of the Carapace of the African Sideneck Turtle (Pelusios castaneus)

Olukole S.G.⃰ 1; Okusanya B.O.2; Agbato O.A. 1, Kekere A. D. 1; Oyeyemi M.O. 2; Oke B.O. 1

1Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Iba- dan, Ibadan, Nigeria. 2 Department of Veterinary Surgery and Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.

With 3 figures received in September, accepted for publication September 2013

Abstract marginal scutes with the infra- The morphological analysis of the marginal scute forming the bridge carapace of the African sideneck between the carapace and plastron. turtle (Pelusios castaneus) was car- The turtle had seven neural bones ried out using twenty adult turtles flanked on each side by eight pairs comprising twenty females and forty of pleurals, while eleven pairs of pe- males picked up at different times in ripheral bones surrounded the pleu- various river banks in Ibadan, Nige- rals. The basic anatomy of the shell ria with the view to providing base- of this animal is similar to those of line information that could be useful earlier reports on shell morphology in the comparative osteology of sea of the chelonians. and freshwater turtles as well as in the identification of the shell of the Keywords: Carapace, plastron, turtle in paleontological and archae- morphology, scutes, turtle. ological investigations. The average body weight of the turtles used for Introduction the study was 0.82 ± 0.03kg. The The African sideneck turtle (Pelusi- curved carapace and plastron os castaneus) is a freshwater turtle lengths of the turtles were 26.4 of the family Pelomedusidae, widely ±1.87cm and 19.3 ± 1.13cm, re- distributed in West Africa, occurring spectively. The carapace of the tur- from Guinea and Senegal to north- tles varied from dark brown to dark western Angola (Kirkpatrick, 1995). in colour, had five vertebral, four The P. castaneus is a small to me- pairs of costal and twelve pairs of

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Carapace of the African Sideneck turtle Olukole et al. dium in size, with relatively exten- functions especially in adults (Erim various river banks in Ibadan, Nige- The carapace had the following sive plastron that may have a hinge et al., 2006). ria, were used for the study. The scutes: vertebral, costal or lateral, present between the pectoral and animals were kept in artificial ponds marginal and inframarginal. In all abdominal scutes (Olukole et al., A number of research reports on the and were stabilized for 72 hours pri- the turtles studied, the vertebral 2010). The turtle shell has long at- shell morphology of chelonians had or to the investigations carried out. scutes were constantly five in num- tracted the attention of comparative been documented. The shell mor- They were fed with commercial fish ber, flat in structure and medial in anatomists, being comprised of dor- phology of the land tortoise, Testu- pellets ad libitum. Standard body position overlaying the enclosed sal and ventral moieties, termed the do graeca Linnaeus, had been doc- parameters were all determined us- vertebrae of the animals (figure 1). carapace and plastron, respectively umented (Amiranashvili, 2000; Per- ing a Draper® 115 mm vernier cali- In all the turtles studied, the second (Nagashima et al., 2012). ala, 2001; Delfino et al., 2009). Also, per and metric tape. The body and third costal scutes matched up shell morphology had been de- weight of the animals was taken with the seventh marginal scute A conservative life history pattern scribed in the Kemp’s ridley, the with the aid of a Microvar® weighing while the third and fourth costal has enabled chelonians to persist Dermochelys and the Loggerhead balance. The turtles were anaesthe- scutes matched up with the ninth for roughly 200 million years and (Wyneken, 2001) as well as in the tized using ketamine HCl at marginal scute. The first and last inhabit terrestrial, fresh water, and Tropical tortoise chelonoidis den- 25mg/kg body weight intramuscular- pairs of marginal scutes are in con- marine habitats (Frazer, 2000). This ticulate (Manzano, 2009). The plas- ly at the medial aspects of the thigh tact with the first and fifth vertebral long persistence of chelonians is tral morphology of four different muscle and then sacrificed by cervi- scutes while marginals III to X relate partly due to the possession of an subspecies of the Caspian turtle cal decapitation. The preparation of with the costal scutes medially. extremely specialised body wall otherwise known as the striped- skeletons of the animals was ob- The inframarginal scute formed the called the shell comprising discrete neck terrapin (Mauremys caspica) tained through hot water maceration bridge between the carapace and bony and epidermal elements. The had also been reported (Tilman and (Sommer and Anderson, 1974). The plastron in each of the turtles. The turtle shell has been considered a Uwe, 1996). arrangement and number of scutes bony elements of the carapace ob- textbook example of a morphologi- and bony elements of the shell were served on each turtle were the nu- cal novelty (Gilbert et al., 2001). There is scarcity of research infor- then investigated. Anatomical no- chal bone, the neural bones, the Turtles are unique among living tet- mation on the shell morphology of menclature used in the study fol- pleurals, the suprapygal and pygal, rapods in that they possess a box- freshwater turtles of African origin. lowed the reports of Lapparent de the peripheral bones, and fused ver- like shell that is formed by dorsal This study provides the first detailed Broin (2001) and Wyenken (2001). tebrae. The nuchal bone relates and ventral parts (the carapace and osteological description of the cara- with the first peripheral bone lateral- plastron), which together cover most pace of the African sideneck turtle, Results ly and with the first pleural latero- of the body of the animals. The car- which could be helpful in the identi- The average body weight of the tur- caudally on both sides of the apace and plastron are of neural fication of the turtle in paleontologi- tles used for the study was 0.82 ± midseam of the plastron. Caudal to crest origin (Clark et al., 2001), de- cal and archaeological remains as 0.03 kg. The curved carapace and the nuchal bone were the neural riving from vertebral and rib ele- well as in the comparative osteology plastron lengths were 26.4 ± 1.87cm bones, seven in number. The mid- ments and lying superficial to both of sea and freshwater turtles. and 19.3 ± 1.13cm, respectively. longitudinal series of neural ele- limb girdles (Burke, 1989). The tur- The carapaces of the turtles used ments were flanked on each side by tle shell provides a significant Material and methods for the study were broadly oval cau- a lateral costal series (pleurals), measure of protection from preda- A total of 20 adult African sideneck dally but blunt cranially; varying while a peripheral set of bones sur- tion and is involved in locomotory turtles picked up at different times in from dark brown to dark in colour. round the pleurals (Figure 2). The

J. Vet. Anat. 48 Vol 7 No 1, (2014) 47 - 56

Carapace of the African Sideneck turtle Olukole et al. dium in size, with relatively exten- functions especially in adults (Erim various river banks in Ibadan, Nige- The carapace had the following sive plastron that may have a hinge et al., 2006). ria, were used for the study. The scutes: vertebral, costal or lateral, present between the pectoral and animals were kept in artificial ponds marginal and inframarginal. In all abdominal scutes (Olukole et al., A number of research reports on the and were stabilized for 72 hours pri- the turtles studied, the vertebral 2010). The turtle shell has long at- shell morphology of chelonians had or to the investigations carried out. scutes were constantly five in num- tracted the attention of comparative been documented. The shell mor- They were fed with commercial fish ber, flat in structure and medial in anatomists, being comprised of dor- phology of the land tortoise, Testu- pellets ad libitum. Standard body position overlaying the enclosed sal and ventral moieties, termed the do graeca Linnaeus, had been doc- parameters were all determined us- vertebrae of the animals (figure 1). carapace and plastron, respectively umented (Amiranashvili, 2000; Per- ing a Draper® 115 mm vernier cali- In all the turtles studied, the second (Nagashima et al., 2012). ala, 2001; Delfino et al., 2009). Also, per and metric tape. The body and third costal scutes matched up shell morphology had been de- weight of the animals was taken with the seventh marginal scute A conservative life history pattern scribed in the Kemp’s ridley, the with the aid of a Microvar® weighing while the third and fourth costal has enabled chelonians to persist Dermochelys and the Loggerhead balance. The turtles were anaesthe- scutes matched up with the ninth for roughly 200 million years and (Wyneken, 2001) as well as in the tized using ketamine HCl at marginal scute. The first and last inhabit terrestrial, fresh water, and Tropical tortoise chelonoidis den- 25mg/kg body weight intramuscular- pairs of marginal scutes are in con- marine habitats (Frazer, 2000). This ticulate (Manzano, 2009). The plas- ly at the medial aspects of the thigh tact with the first and fifth vertebral long persistence of chelonians is tral morphology of four different muscle and then sacrificed by cervi- scutes while marginals III to X relate partly due to the possession of an subspecies of the Caspian turtle cal decapitation. The preparation of with the costal scutes medially. extremely specialised body wall otherwise known as the striped- skeletons of the animals was ob- The inframarginal scute formed the called the shell comprising discrete neck terrapin (Mauremys caspica) tained through hot water maceration bridge between the carapace and bony and epidermal elements. The had also been reported (Tilman and (Sommer and Anderson, 1974). The plastron in each of the turtles. The turtle shell has been considered a Uwe, 1996). arrangement and number of scutes bony elements of the carapace ob- textbook example of a morphologi- and bony elements of the shell were served on each turtle were the nu- cal novelty (Gilbert et al., 2001). There is scarcity of research infor- then investigated. Anatomical no- chal bone, the neural bones, the Turtles are unique among living tet- mation on the shell morphology of menclature used in the study fol- pleurals, the suprapygal and pygal, rapods in that they possess a box- freshwater turtles of African origin. lowed the reports of Lapparent de the peripheral bones, and fused ver- like shell that is formed by dorsal This study provides the first detailed Broin (2001) and Wyenken (2001). tebrae. The nuchal bone relates and ventral parts (the carapace and osteological description of the cara- with the first peripheral bone lateral- plastron), which together cover most pace of the African sideneck turtle, Results ly and with the first pleural latero- of the body of the animals. The car- which could be helpful in the identi- The average body weight of the tur- caudally on both sides of the apace and plastron are of neural fication of the turtle in paleontologi- tles used for the study was 0.82 ± midseam of the plastron. Caudal to crest origin (Clark et al., 2001), de- cal and archaeological remains as 0.03 kg. The curved carapace and the nuchal bone were the neural riving from vertebral and rib ele- well as in the comparative osteology plastron lengths were 26.4 ± 1.87cm bones, seven in number. The mid- ments and lying superficial to both of sea and freshwater turtles. and 19.3 ± 1.13cm, respectively. longitudinal series of neural ele- limb girdles (Burke, 1989). The tur- The carapaces of the turtles used ments were flanked on each side by tle shell provides a significant Material and methods for the study were broadly oval cau- a lateral costal series (pleurals), measure of protection from preda- A total of 20 adult African sideneck dally but blunt cranially; varying while a peripheral set of bones sur- tion and is involved in locomotory turtles picked up at different times in from dark brown to dark in colour. round the pleurals (Figure 2). The

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Carapace of the African Sideneck turtle Olukole et al. carapace had eight pleurals ex- sal edge of the ilium to the carapace 2009). Also, with the exception of numerary scutes usually present on panding from each side of the neu- (figure 3). the absence of nuchal scutes, the the caparace) and usually six or ral series to the peripheral bones. number and shape of vertebral, cos- more pairs of costal scutes The pleurals had the ribs and their Discussion tal and marginal scutes on the cara- (Wyneken, 2001). dermal expansions while the pe- The colour, shape and structure of pace of the African sideneck turtle The structure and arrangement of ripheral bones formed the lateral the carapace of the P. castaneus are similar to those of the Krefft’s the bony elements of the carapace margin of the carapace (figure 2). are similar to earlier reports on the River turtle (Emydura macquarii of the African sideneck turtle are The peripheral bones were eleven shell morphology of the Pelusios krefftii) and the Fitzroy River turtle similar to those reported in the pairs, being separated cranially by species (Anderson, 1995; Broadley (Rheodytes leukops) (Georges and Egyptian tortoise (Delfino et al., the nuchal bone and caudally by the and Boycott, 2009). Different Thomson, 2010). The possession of 2009); the Green turtle and Logger- pygal bone. The 5th to 7th peripher- shapes of the carapace had been five vertebral and four pairs of costal head (Wyneken, 2001; Ergene et al bones form the bridge (at the lev- reported in the turtle: oval in Green scutes had also been reported in al., 2011); and freshwater turtle El- el of the inframarginal scute), the turtle (Chelonia mydas), Hawsbill the Green turtle (Chelonia mydas) seya dentate (Thompson et al., bony junction of the carapace and turtle (Eretmochelys imbricate), the and the Hawsbill turtle (Eretmo- 2006). In all these turtles, the eighth plastron. In each of the turtles, a Krefft’s River turtle (Emydura mac- chelys imbricate) whereas five ver- cervical vertebra, the ribs and the triangular-shaped suprapygal bone quarii krefftii), the genus Elseya and tebral and five pairs of costal scutes dorsal vertebrae had been reported was constantly found caudal to the Flatback turtle (Natator depressus); had been reported in the Kemp’s as being fused to the bony element sacral vertebrae and laterally relat- heart-shaped in Black turtle (Chelo- ridley (Lepidochelys kempii) and the of the carapace. However, the num- ed to the last (smallest) pair of pleu- nia species); and elongate in Leath- Loggerhead (Caretta caretta) ber of neural bones in the African ral bones situated at the caudal por- erback turtle (Dermochelys coria- (Wyneken, 2001). The anatomical sideneck turtle is less than that of tion of the carapace (figure 3). The cea) (Wyneken, 2001). dispositions whereby the second Emys orbicularis which was report- suprapgal bone relates with the Like the African sideneck turtle, and third costal scutes match up ed as eight (Thompson and eighth pair of pleurals laterally, the twelve pairs of marginal scutes had with the seventh maginal as well as Georges, 2009). The number and third (last) sacral vertebra cranially been reported in the pond turtle, those of the third and fourth costal arrangement of peripheral bones and with the pygal bone caudally. Pangshura tatrotia (Joyce and Ly- scutes matching up with the ninth and the pleurals of the African side- The supracaudal portion of the py- son, 2010). However, the carapace marginal on the carapace of the Af- neck turtle correspond to those of gal had a serrated edge in all the of the African sideneck turtle lacked rican sideneck turtle is similar to that the pond turtle, Pangshura tatrotia turtles. The lateral margins of the keels unlike the pond turtle, of the Saw-shelled turtle (Thomson (Joyce and Lyson, 2010). However, supracaudal were slightly concave Pangshura tatrotia (Joyce and Ly- and Georges, 2009). However, the unlike the African sideneck turtle and pointed in all the turtles (figure son, 2010). The number and ar- second and third costal scutes which has only one suprapygal 3). Fused with the carapace on its rangement of the scutes of the car- match up with the sixth marginal bone, three suprapygal elements ventral surface were the last cervi- apace of the African sideneck turtle while the third and fourth costal had been reported in the pond tur- cal, 7 thoracic vertebrae and 3 sa- is similar to those of the Saw- scutes match up with the eighth tle, Pangshura tatrotia (Joyce and cral vertebrae. The sacral vertebrae shelled turtle (Myuchelys latister- marginal in the Fitzroy River turtle Lyson, 2010). were laterally related to the last num) with five vertebral scutes, four (Thomson, 2000). The Olive ridley The basic anatomy of the carapace pleurals on both sides of the median pairs of costal scutes, 12 pairs of had been reported to have more of the African sideneck turtle is simi- plane and presented with a flattened marginal scutes with no nuchal than five normal vertebral scutes lar to those of earlier reports on facet for the attachment of the dor- scutes (Thomson and Georges, (apart from the irregular or super- shell morphology of the chelonians

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Carapace of the African Sideneck turtle Olukole et al. carapace had eight pleurals ex- sal edge of the ilium to the carapace 2009). Also, with the exception of numerary scutes usually present on panding from each side of the neu- (figure 3). the absence of nuchal scutes, the the caparace) and usually six or ral series to the peripheral bones. number and shape of vertebral, cos- more pairs of costal scutes The pleurals had the ribs and their Discussion tal and marginal scutes on the cara- (Wyneken, 2001). dermal expansions while the pe- The colour, shape and structure of pace of the African sideneck turtle The structure and arrangement of ripheral bones formed the lateral the carapace of the P. castaneus are similar to those of the Krefft’s the bony elements of the carapace margin of the carapace (figure 2). are similar to earlier reports on the River turtle (Emydura macquarii of the African sideneck turtle are The peripheral bones were eleven shell morphology of the Pelusios krefftii) and the Fitzroy River turtle similar to those reported in the pairs, being separated cranially by species (Anderson, 1995; Broadley (Rheodytes leukops) (Georges and Egyptian tortoise (Delfino et al., the nuchal bone and caudally by the and Boycott, 2009). Different Thomson, 2010). The possession of 2009); the Green turtle and Logger- pygal bone. The 5th to 7th peripher- shapes of the carapace had been five vertebral and four pairs of costal head (Wyneken, 2001; Ergene et al bones form the bridge (at the lev- reported in the turtle: oval in Green scutes had also been reported in al., 2011); and freshwater turtle El- el of the inframarginal scute), the turtle (Chelonia mydas), Hawsbill the Green turtle (Chelonia mydas) seya dentate (Thompson et al., bony junction of the carapace and turtle (Eretmochelys imbricate), the and the Hawsbill turtle (Eretmo- 2006). In all these turtles, the eighth plastron. In each of the turtles, a Krefft’s River turtle (Emydura mac- chelys imbricate) whereas five ver- cervical vertebra, the ribs and the triangular-shaped suprapygal bone quarii krefftii), the genus Elseya and tebral and five pairs of costal scutes dorsal vertebrae had been reported was constantly found caudal to the Flatback turtle (Natator depressus); had been reported in the Kemp’s as being fused to the bony element sacral vertebrae and laterally relat- heart-shaped in Black turtle (Chelo- ridley (Lepidochelys kempii) and the of the carapace. However, the num- ed to the last (smallest) pair of pleu- nia species); and elongate in Leath- Loggerhead (Caretta caretta) ber of neural bones in the African ral bones situated at the caudal por- erback turtle (Dermochelys coria- (Wyneken, 2001). The anatomical sideneck turtle is less than that of tion of the carapace (figure 3). The cea) (Wyneken, 2001). dispositions whereby the second Emys orbicularis which was report- suprapgal bone relates with the Like the African sideneck turtle, and third costal scutes match up ed as eight (Thompson and eighth pair of pleurals laterally, the twelve pairs of marginal scutes had with the seventh maginal as well as Georges, 2009). The number and third (last) sacral vertebra cranially been reported in the pond turtle, those of the third and fourth costal arrangement of peripheral bones and with the pygal bone caudally. Pangshura tatrotia (Joyce and Ly- scutes matching up with the ninth and the pleurals of the African side- The supracaudal portion of the py- son, 2010). However, the carapace marginal on the carapace of the Af- neck turtle correspond to those of gal had a serrated edge in all the of the African sideneck turtle lacked rican sideneck turtle is similar to that the pond turtle, Pangshura tatrotia turtles. The lateral margins of the keels unlike the pond turtle, of the Saw-shelled turtle (Thomson (Joyce and Lyson, 2010). However, supracaudal were slightly concave Pangshura tatrotia (Joyce and Ly- and Georges, 2009). However, the unlike the African sideneck turtle and pointed in all the turtles (figure son, 2010). The number and ar- second and third costal scutes which has only one suprapygal 3). Fused with the carapace on its rangement of the scutes of the car- match up with the sixth marginal bone, three suprapygal elements ventral surface were the last cervi- apace of the African sideneck turtle while the third and fourth costal had been reported in the pond tur- cal, 7 thoracic vertebrae and 3 sa- is similar to those of the Saw- scutes match up with the eighth tle, Pangshura tatrotia (Joyce and cral vertebrae. The sacral vertebrae shelled turtle (Myuchelys latister- marginal in the Fitzroy River turtle Lyson, 2010). were laterally related to the last num) with five vertebral scutes, four (Thomson, 2000). The Olive ridley The basic anatomy of the carapace pleurals on both sides of the median pairs of costal scutes, 12 pairs of had been reported to have more of the African sideneck turtle is simi- plane and presented with a flattened marginal scutes with no nuchal than five normal vertebral scutes lar to those of earlier reports on facet for the attachment of the dor- scutes (Thomson and Georges, (apart from the irregular or super- shell morphology of the chelonians

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Carapace of the African Sideneck turtle Olukole et al.

(Amiranashvili, 2000; Wyneken, for the evolution of a novel bauplan. Gilbert,S.F.,LoredoG.A.,Brukman, Olukole,S.G.,Aina,O.O.,Okusanya, 2001; Perala, 2001; Delfino et al., J Morphol. 199:363–378. A.,Burke, A.C. (2001): Morphogen- B.O. (2010): Morphometric analysis 2009; Ergene et al., 2011; Na- esis of the turtle shell: the develop- of the external body anatomy of the gashima, 2012). The information Clark, K., Bender, G., Murray, B.P. ment of a novel structure in tetrapod African sideneck turtle (Pelusios made available by this study is vital (2001): Evidence for the neural evolution. Evol Dev. 3:47–58. castaneus). Book of abstracts of the in the identification of the animal as crest origin of turtle plastron bones. 30th Annual Symposium on Sea Tur- well as in the comparative anatomy Genesis 31:111–117. Joyce, W.G., Lyson, T.R.(2010): tle biology and conservation held in of the shells of both sea and fresh- Pangshura tatrotia, a new species Goa, India. 265. water turtles. Delfino,M.,Chesi,F.,Fritz,U.(2009): of pond turtle (Testudinoidea) from Shell morphology of the Egyptian the Pliocene Siwaliks of Pakistan. Perala, J. (2001): A new species of Acknowledgement tortoise, Testudo kleinmanni Lortet, Journal of Systematic Palaeontolo- Testudo (Testudines: Testudinidae) This work was supported by Univer- 1883, the osteologically least-known gy. (8) 3, 2010, 449–458. from the Middle East with implica- sity of Ibadan Senate Research Testudo species. Zoological Studies tion for conservation. J. Herpetol. Grants (SRG/FVM/2010/4A and 48(6): 850-860. Kirkpatrick, D. T. (1995): An Essay 35: 567-582. SRG/FVM/2010/1B). on Taxonomy and the Genus Pelu- Ergene, S., Aymak, C., Uçar, A.H. sios. Available at: http:// www. Sommer,H.G.,AndersonS., (1974): (2011): Carapacial scute variation in unc.edu/~dtkirkpa/stuff/pel.html. Ac- “Cleaning skeletons with dermestid References green turtle (Chelonia mydas) and cessed 22 February 2013. beetles – two refinements in the Amiranashvili, N.G. (2000): Differ- loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) method”, Curator. 17, (4), 290-298. Lapparent, de Broin F de. (2001): ences in shell morphology of Testu- hatchlings in Alata, Mersin, Turkey. The European turtle fauna from the Thompson, S.,Georges, A., Lim- do graeca and Testudo hermanni, Turk J Zool. 35(3) 343-356. Triassic to the present. Dumerilia 4: pus, C.J. (2006): A New Species of based on material from Bulgaria. 155-217. Freshwater Turtle in the Genus El- Amphib.-Reptil. 21: 67-81. Erim, M. M., Fredric, J. J., Dean, seya (Testudines: Chelidae) from C. A., John, K. T. (2006): Quantita- Manzano,A.S.,Noriega, J.I., Joyce, Central Coastal Queensland, Aus- Anderson, N.B. (1995): Life History tive genetics of plastron shape in W.G. (2009): The Tropical tortoise tralia. Chelonian Conservation and notes: Pelusios castaneus: repro- slider turtles (trachemys scripta). chelonoidis denticulate (testudines: Biology. 5(1): 74–86 duction. African Herp News. 23:49. Evolution, 60(3), 563–572 testudinidae) from the late Pleisto- Broadley, D.G., Boycott, R.C. Frazer, N. B. (2000): Forward. Pp cene of Argentina and its paleocli- Thomson, S. (2000): A Revision of (2009): Pelusios castaneus (Smith xi–xiv. In M. W. Klemens (Ed.), Tur- matological implications. J.Paleont. the Fossil Chelid Turtles (Pleurodi- 1838) –Serrated Hinged Terrapin. tle Conservation. Smithsonian Insti- 83(6), 975–980 . ra) Described by C.W. De Vis, 1897. Conservation Biology of Freshwater tutionPress,Washington,D.C.,U.S.A. Memoires of the Queensland Muse- Turtles and Tortoises, Chelonian Nagashima,H., Kuraku S., Uchida, um 45(2):593-598. Research Monographs. 5: 036.1- Georges, A., Thomson, S. (2010): K., Kawashima-Ohya, Y., Narita, 036.5. Diversity of Australasian freshwater Y., Kuratani, S. (2012): Body plan Thomson, S., Georges, A. (2009): turtles, with an annotated synonymy of turtles: an anatomical, develop- Myuchelys gen. nov. —a new genus Burke, A.C. (1989): Development and keys to species. Zootaxa 2496: mental and evolutionary perspec- for Elseya latisternum and related of the turtle carapace: implications 1–37. tive. Anat Sci Int. 87:1–13. forms of Australian freshwater turtle

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Carapace of the African Sideneck turtle Olukole et al. (Amiranashvili, 2000; Wyneken, for the evolution of a novel bauplan. Gilbert,S.F.,LoredoG.A.,Brukman, Olukole,S.G.,Aina,O.O.,Okusanya, 2001; Perala, 2001; Delfino et al., J Morphol. 199:363–378. A.,Burke, A.C. (2001): Morphogen- B.O. (2010): Morphometric analysis 2009; Ergene et al., 2011; Na- esis of the turtle shell: the develop- of the external body anatomy of the gashima, 2012). The information Clark, K., Bender, G., Murray, B.P. ment of a novel structure in tetrapod African sideneck turtle (Pelusios made available by this study is vital (2001): Evidence for the neural evolution. Evol Dev. 3:47–58. castaneus). Book of abstracts of the in the identification of the animal as crest origin of turtle plastron bones. 30th Annual Symposium on Sea Tur- well as in the comparative anatomy Genesis 31:111–117. Joyce, W.G., Lyson, T.R.(2010): tle biology and conservation held in of the shells of both sea and fresh- Pangshura tatrotia, a new species Goa, India. 265. water turtles. Delfino,M.,Chesi,F.,Fritz,U.(2009): of pond turtle (Testudinoidea) from Shell morphology of the Egyptian the Pliocene Siwaliks of Pakistan. Perala, J. (2001): A new species of Acknowledgement tortoise, Testudo kleinmanni Lortet, Journal of Systematic Palaeontolo- Testudo (Testudines: Testudinidae) This work was supported by Univer- 1883, the osteologically least-known gy. (8) 3, 2010, 449–458. from the Middle East with implica- sity of Ibadan Senate Research Testudo species. Zoological Studies tion for conservation. J. Herpetol. Grants (SRG/FVM/2010/4A and 48(6): 850-860. Kirkpatrick, D. T. (1995): An Essay 35: 567-582. SRG/FVM/2010/1B). on Taxonomy and the Genus Pelu- Ergene, S., Aymak, C., Uçar, A.H. sios. Available at: http:// www. Sommer,H.G.,AndersonS., (1974): (2011): Carapacial scute variation in unc.edu/~dtkirkpa/stuff/pel.html. Ac- “Cleaning skeletons with dermestid References green turtle (Chelonia mydas) and cessed 22 February 2013. beetles – two refinements in the Amiranashvili, N.G. (2000): Differ- loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) method”, Curator. 17, (4), 290-298. Lapparent, de Broin F de. (2001): ences in shell morphology of Testu- hatchlings in Alata, Mersin, Turkey. The European turtle fauna from the Thompson, S.,Georges, A., Lim- do graeca and Testudo hermanni, Turk J Zool. 35(3) 343-356. Triassic to the present. Dumerilia 4: pus, C.J. (2006): A New Species of based on material from Bulgaria. 155-217. Freshwater Turtle in the Genus El- Amphib.-Reptil. 21: 67-81. Erim, M. M., Fredric, J. J., Dean, seya (Testudines: Chelidae) from C. A., John, K. T. (2006): Quantita- Manzano,A.S.,Noriega, J.I., Joyce, Central Coastal Queensland, Aus- Anderson, N.B. (1995): Life History tive genetics of plastron shape in W.G. (2009): The Tropical tortoise tralia. Chelonian Conservation and notes: Pelusios castaneus: repro- slider turtles (trachemys scripta). chelonoidis denticulate (testudines: Biology. 5(1): 74–86 duction. African Herp News. 23:49. Evolution, 60(3), 563–572 testudinidae) from the late Pleisto- Broadley, D.G., Boycott, R.C. Frazer, N. B. (2000): Forward. Pp cene of Argentina and its paleocli- Thomson, S. (2000): A Revision of (2009): Pelusios castaneus (Smith xi–xiv. In M. W. Klemens (Ed.), Tur- matological implications. J.Paleont. the Fossil Chelid Turtles (Pleurodi- 1838) –Serrated Hinged Terrapin. tle Conservation. Smithsonian Insti- 83(6), 975–980 . ra) Described by C.W. De Vis, 1897. Conservation Biology of Freshwater tutionPress,Washington,D.C.,U.S.A. Memoires of the Queensland Muse- Turtles and Tortoises, Chelonian Nagashima,H., Kuraku S., Uchida, um 45(2):593-598. Research Monographs. 5: 036.1- Georges, A., Thomson, S. (2010): K., Kawashima-Ohya, Y., Narita, 036.5. Diversity of Australasian freshwater Y., Kuratani, S. (2012): Body plan Thomson, S., Georges, A. (2009): turtles, with an annotated synonymy of turtles: an anatomical, develop- Myuchelys gen. nov. —a new genus Burke, A.C. (1989): Development and keys to species. Zootaxa 2496: mental and evolutionary perspec- for Elseya latisternum and related of the turtle carapace: implications 1–37. tive. Anat Sci Int. 87:1–13. forms of Australian freshwater turtle

J. Vet. Anat. 53 Vol 7 No 1, (2014) 47 - 56

Carapace of the African Sideneck turtle Olukole et al.

(Testudines: Pleurodira: Chelidae) ventrimaculata subsp. nov.) from Zootaxa. 2053: 32–42. the Iranian Highlands). Salamandra. 32 (2), 113–122.

Tilman, W., Uwe, F.J. (1996): Eine neue Unterart der Bachschildkröte Wyneken, J. (2001): The Anatomy (mauremys caspica ventrimaculata of Sea Turtles. U.S. Department of subsp. nov.) aus dem Iranischen Commerce NOAA Technical Memo- Hochland (A new subspecies of the randum NMFS-SEFSC. 470, 1-172.

Caspian turtle (Mauremys caspica ______⃰ Corresponding Author E-mail : [email protected] [email protected] Phone number: +2348033574752

Fig (2): Bony components of the carapace of the African sideneck turtle (Pelusios castaneus). Nu: Nuchal bone; Pb 1- Pb 11: First to eleventh peripheral bone; Ne 1- Ne 7: First to seventh neural bone; Pl 1- Pl 8: First to eighth pleural; Sp: suprapygal bone; Pgy: pygal bone.

Fig (1): Dorsolateral view of the shell of the African sideneck turtle. VS 1: First vertebral scute; VS 3: Third vertebral scute; VS 5: Fifth vertebral scute; MS 2: Second marginal scute; MS 7: Seven marginal scute; MS 9: Ninth marginal scute; CS 1: First costal scute; CS 4: Forth costal scute.

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Carapace of the African Sideneck turtle Olukole et al. (Testudines: Pleurodira: Chelidae) ventrimaculata subsp. nov.) from Zootaxa. 2053: 32–42. the Iranian Highlands). Salamandra. 32 (2), 113–122.

Tilman, W., Uwe, F.J. (1996): Eine neue Unterart der Bachschildkröte Wyneken, J. (2001): The Anatomy (mauremys caspica ventrimaculata of Sea Turtles. U.S. Department of subsp. nov.) aus dem Iranischen Commerce NOAA Technical Memo- Hochland (A new subspecies of the randum NMFS-SEFSC. 470, 1-172.

Caspian turtle (Mauremys caspica ______⃰ Corresponding Author E-mail : [email protected] [email protected] Phone number: +2348033574752

Fig (2): Bony components of the carapace of the African sideneck turtle (Pelusios castaneus). Nu: Nuchal bone; Pb 1- Pb 11: First to eleventh peripheral bone; Ne 1- Ne 7: First to seventh neural bone; Pl 1- Pl 8: First to eighth pleural; Sp: suprapygal bone; Pgy: pygal bone.

Fig (1): Dorsolateral view of the shell of the African sideneck turtle. VS 1: First vertebral scute; VS 3: Third vertebral scute; VS 5: Fifth vertebral scute; MS 2: Second marginal scute; MS 7: Seven marginal scute; MS 9: Ninth marginal scute; CS 1: First costal scute; CS 4: Forth costal scute.

J. Vet. Anat. 55 Vol 7 No 1, (2014) 47 - 56

Carapace of the African Sideneck turtle Olukole et al. - Case report -

Craniofacial Duplication (Diprosopus) in a Domes- tic Lamb (Ovis aries)

Omobowale, T.O.1, Igado, O.O.2*, Abiola J.O.1, Adeniji, S.A.3 Omirinde, J.O.2 1 Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria. 2 Department of Veterinary Anatomy, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria. 3 Department of Animal Science, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.

With 2 figures Received December 2013, accepted for publication March 2014 Abstract widely reported in different species. A case of craniofacial duplication is Congenital duplication (synonyms: described in a West African Dwarf conjoined twins, Siamese twins or lamb. The major gross anatomical anomalous twinning) is an interest- malformations were only observed ing form of congenital defects, since in the head. Physical examination it involves two individuals. It is as a revealed two heads which were result of monozygotic twins which joined laterally at the region of the are imperfectly separated, and have angle of the mandible, resulting in the same mode of origin as identical twins. It has been reported to occur the name diprosopus (dicephalus monopygus dibrachius). This is in different forms, ranging from slight Fig (3): Ventral view of the bony components of the carapace of the African sideneck probably the first documented report duplication to two virtually separate turtle. Nu: Nuchal bone; C8: Eighth cervical vertebra; T1 - T7: First to seventh thoracic of this particular type of congenital individuals, and may be seen as free vertebra; Rh: head of rib; S1 - S3: First to third sacral vertebra; Pb 5 to Pb11: Fifth to duplication in Nigeria. or attached symmetrical or free or eleventh peripheral bone; Hyo: Hyoplastron; Hypo: Hypoplastron. attached asymmetrical (Dennis, 1975). It is most commonly reported Keywords: Dicephalus, dibrachius, diprosopus, sheep, Nigeria. in cattle (Corbera et al., 2005), but has also been reported in the dog (Nottidge et al., 2007), goat Introduction (Corbera et al., 2005), and sheep Congenital defects have been de- (Dennis, 1975; Cazabon and scribed as abnormalities present at Adogwa, 2003). birth, which result from errors arising The report presents an anomalous during development (Noden and de duplication of the head (dicephalus Lahunta, 1985) and they have been unipagus dibrachius) in Uda sheep.

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