The External, Musculoskeletal and Neuro-Anatomy of Sea Turtles
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Leatherback hatchlings have a black carapace with white-tipped scales along the
ridges; the plastron has longitudinal black and white stripes.
Cheloniids (Figure 2.1B) have shells composed of bone overlaid by keratinous
plates or scutes. The margins of the scutes and scales do not usually align with bony
sutures. The bony shell is reduced compared to those of most other turtles.
All marine turtles have streamlined body forms that facilitate long-distance,
relatively low-cost migrations (fusiform body, minimal head and limb pockets that
minimize drag, and flippers that produce thrust on both their anterodorsal and
posteroventral movements) (Wyneken, 1997).
FIGURE 2.1 Dermochelys coriacea , the leathery shelled species (A), and Eretmochelys imbricata , a cheloniid (B), contrast the two major types of body plans typical of extant sea turtles.
1123_C02.fm Page 41 Friday, November 15, 2002 11:16 AM
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Leatherback hatchlings have a black carapace with white-tipped scales along the
ridges; the plastron has longitudinal black and white stripes.
Cheloniids (Figure 2.1B) have shells composed of bone overlaid by keratinous
plates or scutes. The margins of the scutes and scales do not usually align with bony
sutures. The bony shell is reduced compared to those of most other turtles.
All marine turtles have streamlined body forms that facilitate long-distance,
relatively low-cost migrations (fusiform body, minimal head and limb pockets that
minimize drag, and flippers that produce thrust on both their anterodorsal and
posteroventral movements) (Wyneken, 1997).
FIGURE 2.1 Dermochelys coriacea , the leathery shelled species (A), and Eretmochelys imbricata , a cheloniid (B), contrast the two major types of body plans typical of extant sea turtles.
1123_C02.fm Page 41 Friday, November 15, 2002 11:16 AM