European pond turtle
The animation shows the anatomy of turtles.
Biology
Keywords
tortoise, syncline, keratin shell, keratinous scute, homology, hibernation, animal, vertebrates, reptile, predator, biology
Related items
Scenes

European pond turtle

Shell
- plastron
- carapace - The outer shell layer was formed from the horny layer of the skin. During the course of evolution, the inner layer has developed as a result of the modification of the bones.

Skeleton
- procoracoid - It is a bone of the shoulder girdle. It is found in reptiles, birds and tailless amphibians. In mammals, there is no equivalent (homologous) bone.
- pelvis
- spinal column - The extensions of the vertebrae are part of the carapace structure.
- rib - It is part of the carapace structure.
- scapula - It is part of the plastron structure.
- coracoid - It is a bone of the shoulder girdle. It is found in reptiles, birds and tailless amphibians. In mammals, there is no equivalent (homologuous) bone. (In humans, the extension of the scapula is called the coracoid process. However, the name does not indicate a common origin.)

Withdrawal

Homology of human and turtle limbs
- human arm
- turtle forelimb
- scapula
- humerus
- bones of the lower arm - The radius is on the thumb side of the wrist and the ulna is on the little finger side.
- carpals
- metacarpals
- finger bones

Animation
- plastron
- carapace - The outer shell layer was formed from the horny layer of the skin. During the course of evolution, the inner layer has developed as a result of the modification of the bones.
- spinal column - The extensions of the vertebrae are part of the carapace structure.
- rib - It is part of the carapace structure.
- human arm
- turtle forelimb
- scapula
- humerus
- bones of the lower arm - The radius is on the thumb side of the wrist and the ulna is on the little finger side.
- carpals
- metacarpals
- finger bones
- human leg
- hind limb
- pelvis
- femur
- bones of the lower leg - The bones of the lower leg are the tibia and the fibula.
- tarsal bones
- metatarsal bones
- finger bones
Narration
The European pond turtle is found in Southern and Eastern Europe, Western Asia and North Africa. It lives in lakes, ponds, swampy areas, and slow-flowing waters. It is a good swimmer and it likes to rest on tree stumps and stones protruding from the water. It catches invertebrates, amphibians, and sometimes also fish, but often it also feeds on plants. It has no teeth, but uses its beak, that is, the sharp edges along its jaws to cut food into small pieces.
The shell of the pond turtle consists of two parts: a dorsal and a ventral section, called the carapace and the plastron.
Turtles can defend themselves by retracting their head and limbs into the shell.
The outer shell layer was formed from the horny layer of the skin. During evolution, the inner layer developed through the modification of the bones. The extensions of the vertebrae and the ribs are part of the carapace structure.
A closer examination of human and turtle limbs reveals that they have a common origin, that is, they are homologous structures.
On the front limbs of the turtle, however, the scapula is elongated.
Related items
Common European viper
A species of venomous snakes widespread in Europe. Its bite is rarely fatal to humans.
How do geckos' feet adhere to smooth surfaces?
Geckos can walk on walls or even ceilings. The 3D scene explains this ability.
Axolotl
The axolotl, also known as Mexican salamander, is an amphibian species that keeps its gills even in adulthood.
Darwin's legendary voyage
Darwin's legendary voyage aboard HMS Beagle played a crucial role in the development of the Theory of Evolution.
Ichthyosaur
Fish-like marine dinosaurs which resembled dolphins; a good example of convergent evolution.
Pteranodon longiceps
A prehistoric flying reptile, similar to birds. However, there is no direct evolutionary link between the two.
Triceratops
A type of herbivorous dinosaur easily recognisable by its large frill and three horns which lived in the Cretaceous period.