Archiv/Abstracts 2010

Veröffentlicht: 05.05.2010

Schildkröten im Fokus, Bergheim 7 (2) 2010: 11–20

Über das Auftreten eines Nackenschildes bei einer Südamerikanischen Landschildkröte, Chelonoidis carbonaria.

The Presence of Nuchal Scutes in the South American Tortoise, Chelonoidis carbonaria.

Carl D. May, Palm Beach, Florida, USA, Hans-Jürgen Bidmon, Düsseldorf, James R. Buskirk, Oakland, Kalifornien, USA & Sabine Vinke, Filadelfia, Paraguay

Abstract

It is common knowledge that all South American tortoises (Chelonoidis) lack a nuchal scute and according to Auffenberg (1971) this scute is lacking for more than 30 million years. Here we describe the occurrence of a nuchal scute in Chelonoides carbonaria (“Cherryheads“). In total nuchal scutes were found in 4 hatchlings from 4 different clutches which had been derived from the same female. These four clutches had been deposited after the introduction of a new male into the breeding group. Because 4 out of 19 hatchlings possessed a nuchal scute it is suggested that this trait is inherited following Mendelian inheritance. Other possibilities are also discussed. However this observation calls for more rigorous follow up studies in order to elucidate some still open questions in basic chelonian genetics and phylogeny.

Key words

Testudines. Testudinidae, Chelonoides carbonaria, nuchal scute, Mendelian inheritance, atavism.

Authors

Carl May
1600 South Ocean Blvd.
Palm Beach, Florida 33480
USA
E-Mail: Cdmfla@aol.com

Hans-Jürgen Bidmon
E-Mail: hjb@hirn.uni-duesseldorf.de

James R. Buskirk
1030 International Blvd
Oakland, CA 94606
USA
E-Mail: jrbuskirk@aol.com

Sabine Vinke
Filadelfia 853
9300 Fernheim
Paraguay
E-Mail: S-T-Vinke@gmx.de




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