Skeletal System of the Turtle
by Rebecca E. Brown and Amyann Madara (2000)
The turtle is an important
organism in the Class Reptilia, Subclass Anapsida, and Order Chelonia (Testudines).
The turtle is studied in comparative anatomy because it is the only extant
member of the Subclass Anapsida. Members of the Subclass Anapsida have
no fenestration in the skull. Differences can be seen in the turtle skeleton
due to this trait.
We have arranged our atlas
in the order that the skeletal system of the turtle is studied in comparative
anatomy. On both the snapping turtle and sea turtle skull pages there are
links, which you can click on in order to compare the two types of skulls
side by side.
Using the "Compare to ...
" links:
-
First, click on the link and
a new window will come up with the other type of skull.
-
On the new window click the
restore icon (the icon between the minimize and close icons) in the top
right corner of the window.
-
You can change the size of this
new window by moving the pointer to the top left corner of the window until
it becomes a double arrow.
-
Once the pointer becomes a double
arrow, click on the left mouse button and move the mouse to change the
new window size, so you can compare the two types of skulls side by side.
-
You can also minimize &
maximize the new window enabling you to study both the Sea Turtle and the
Snapping Turtle skulls at the same time.
Snapping
Turtle Skull
Sea
Turtle Skull
Entire
Turtle Skeleton
Appendicular
Skeleton
Back to MSU's Online
Comparative Anatomy Photographic Atlas