Comparison Of Ribs In <i>Eunotosaurus</i> Versus <i>Pelusios</i> (IMAGE)

Denver Museum of Nature & Science

Comparison Of Ribs In <i>Eunotosaurus</i> Versus <i>Pelusios</i>

Caption

A recent study on the oldest proto turtle, Eunotosaurus (left), suggests the broadening of the ribs in turtles was initially an adaptation for burrowing to escape the extremely arid environment of South Africa 260 million years ago. Later the ribs were incorporated into the modern protective turtle shell as found in Pelusios (right).

Credit

Luke Norton

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