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Sofia Ridge
Period 2

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http://www.travelandleisure.com/slideshows/worlds-great-animal-migrations/4

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1. All living organisms come from a few living ancestors

We know that turtles come from a related ancestor due to all of the traits a modern turtle has. Looking at fossils and embryology, strong traits are able to be passed on and survive many years. We are able to know this if a turtle still has a trait from millions of years ago. We are also able to know this because there are so many different types of turtles, and they are only able to get new traits by evolving from a common ancestor. For example, Odontochelys semitestacea, is one of the turtles known. However, modern turtles have traits from this ancestor as well as new and developed traits. Also this can be proven by looking at the taxonomy. All of the turtles are in the same order meaning they come from a common ancestor specifically at that level. As you move into the family, genus , and species they separate due to specific traits.

We know that natural selection takes place because turtles are still living. This means that they have evolved to be able to survive and reproduce. This term relates back to having a common ancestor because it shows that new traits have evolved from previous generations, where only the strong traits survive. For example , the shell was a very strong trait that has evolved to be more protective yet effective to the turtles life. As well as their arms and legs have allowed these turtles to live anywhere in the world (except Antarctica).

Type of natural selection is disruptive selection. We know this because turtles can have two types of shells, either hard or soft, not in-between. When there are only two types of traits in can lead to the creation of new species. For example most on land turtle species have hard shells, while some turtles that live in the water, such as the leatherback turtle have soft shells. These variations makes it easier for these species to survive in their habitat.

http://www.sparknotes.com/biology/evolution/darwin/summary.html
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24754673

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Migration

https://conserveturtles.org/wp-content/uploads/migratoryroute.jpg
Loggerhead Sea Turtlehttps://www.google.com/urlsa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjPhujc6pXUAhXBWCYKHQ3LAM4QjRwIBw&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.konicaminolta.com%2Fkids%2Fendangered_animals%2Flibrary%2Fsea%2Floggerhead-turtle.html&psig=AFQjCNGybVx8tJasYtBR8qN9TIoVGJnb6Q&ust=1496172411323158

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Speciation- Gradualism

We know that gradualism occurred because if you look at the fossils you can see that over time the carapace started at only covering half of the body. Over time there was a mutation that allowed the carapace to grow over the whole body and encage all of the turtles bones.

http://creation.com/evidence-for-turtle-evolution

Evolution

Divergent evolution occurred on the Galapagos islands because they were geographically isolated from all other turtle species. When a tortoises went to a specific island they stayed there, they then gain specific trait and adaptation in order to survive. This includes their long necks to reach food, different shell shapes, and different sizes.

http://www.luxurycruisesgalapagos.com/galapagos-islands/

Evolutionary Mechanisms

Microevolution- There are many different skin types and designs for turtles. Each one is due to a mutation which allows turtles to survive in specific locations. Some are used are warning signs to predators, while others are used as protection such as camouflage. Some of these mutations are due to the location the turtle is living at, such as the weather or in the water. Some may even help the turtle catch prey. https://www.britannica.com/animal/tortoise

Genetic Drift- Over time most turtles are able to invaginate, retract themselves into their shells for protection. Pleurodires turtles turn their necks to pull their heads into their shells sideways. Cryptodires turtles pull their heads straight back into their shells. Almost all turtles that are not able to do this are extinct (with the exception of sea turtles) because they did not have enough protection. This mean that the gene and trait for retractability has grown in the gene pool, while on the other hand the trait that does not allow retractability has severely decreased in the gene pool. This means that when turtles reproduce, the offspring have a higher chance of receiving this trait. However, the sea turtles that are not able to do this have more efficient legs and flippers for swimming.

http://my.kwic.com/~pagodavista/schoolhouse/species/herps/turtneck.htm

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/real-reason-turtle-learned-hide-its-head-180962233/

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Location found & habitat specific information

Specifically Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia

Tidal portions of Chesapeake bay

Rivers

Marshes

Mud flats

Bottom of lakes and rivers during the winter

Physical characteristics (internal & external)

Grayish to nearly black carapace usually has spots or streaks of black on gray skin

White upper lip

Uniformly colored carapace

Males are smaller than females

Many bone structures are inside the shell

Behavioral characteristics

Sometimes bask in the sun light on top of each other

Flee areas quickly to avoid people

Learn easily

Find food during the day

https://aqua.org/explore/animals/diamondback-terrapin
http://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Malaclemys_terrapin/

http://www.chesapeakebay.net/fieldguide/critter/diamondback_terrapin

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Location found & habitat specific information

On the Galapagos Islands

Physical characteristics (internal & external)

Grow until they are 40 years old

Forage for food during the day

Live alone

Sadle shapes shell

Are able to store water and food efficiently- able to not eat or drink for up to a year

Can break down their body fat for water

Move at about .3 km/h

Behavioral characteristics

Sleep 16 hours a day

Herbivores

Sleep partially submerged in water, mud, or brush to keep them warm

Have a mutual relationship with the Galapagos finch

The tortoise goes up on its hind legs and stretches out its neck for the finch to clean ticks off its neck

When mating season occurs, two males go on thier hind legs to see who is bigger

The taller/bigger male gets to mate with the female

After mating the females must travel to dry sandy areas to put their eggs

https://www.galapagos.org/about_galapagos/about-galapagos/biodiversity/tortoises/
https://animalcorner.co.uk/animals/galapagos-giant-tortoise/
https://www.treehugger.com/endangered-species/giant-galapagos-tortoise-makes-miraculous-recovery-15-individuals-over-1000.html

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Location found & habitat specific information- Due to food they are commonly found in coastal bays and estuaries. As well as near the continental shelves near Eastern side of the US and into the Carribbean

Physical characteristics (internal & external)

Heavy, strong jaws

Carapace is bony without rigid

Large nonoverlapping rough scutes (scales)

5 lateral scute (scales)

Carapace is heart shaped

Front flippers are short and thick with 2 claws

Rear flippers have 2 or 3 claws

Carapace (shell) is reddish brown

yellowish brown plastron

Hatchlings have a dark-brown carapace with flippers pale brown on margins.

Behavioral characteristics-

Mainly carnivorous

Babies normally eat sponges, jellyfish, sargassum weed, small gastropods, and crustaceans

Adolescents and adults are able to eat conch shells, horseshoes crabs, clams and other crustaceans

During migration, their diet may change to whatever they can find along the journey

https://conserveturtles.org/information-sea-turtles-general-behavior/

http://marinebio.org/species.asp?id=163

https://conserveturtles.org/information-sea-turtles-loggerhead-sea-turtle/

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Provide the major (unifying) characteristics of organisms found in your kingdom- Anamalia

Eukaryotic

Multicellular

Heterotroph

Ingest and digest their food

Made up of organ systems

Evolve

React to the environment

Maintain homeostasis

Age over time

Reproduce

https://schoolworkhelper.net/kingdom-animalia-general-characteristics-of-animals/This diagrams able to show us that all three types of turtles are related until the testudines order. This diagram also tells us that neither two are more similar than another, meaning that two of the three turtles have the same family meaning they are more related. Since the turtles are lastly related at their order it means that they are not very closely related. As they move down to family, genus, and species they become even more different. We also know that

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Chromosomal Analysis and Phylogenetic Tree

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Chromosomal Analysis and Phylogenetic Tree

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Find a chromosomal comparison for organisms within your taxonomic group.  What do the similarities or differences tell you about these organisms?

Olive Ridley Sea Turtle

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/259205934_Primary_fibroblast_cultures_and_karyotype_analysis_for_the_olive_ridley_sea_turtle_Lepidochelys_olivaceaLoggerhead Turtle
http://biostor.org/reference/106942/page/2

These karyotypes show that the size and shape of the chromosomes (with the exception of a couple) are relatively the same size. This means that these two species are related because their DNA is the same for some of the chromosomes. Specific chromosomes code for specific traits. For example, all turtles have a gene in their DNA which codes for a shell. They also have a gene that codes for no teeth, but great hearing. The minor differences in create some traits that creates new species.
http://www.tutorvista.com/content/biology/biology-iii/cell-reproduction/karyotype.php
When we compare a turtle to a human karyotype there are many differences. Some minor similar DNA that contains traits can be traced back to find a common ancestor. Also these two organism have different sex chromosomes. For example, heat can effect the gender of a turtle. Since many of the chromosomes are different, it mean that their DNA is different and if they do not contain the same DNA, they are not related because different DNA codes for different traits and proteins.

PhylogeneticTree
Three is showing that horns appeared in the species from Stephanospondylus to Meiolania, however in between these two groups the Anthodon and Deltavjatia did not have horns. It also shows that Meiolania, Proganochelys, Trionyx, Kayentachelys, Chelonia, Macrochelys temmincki, Terrapene carolina, pelomedusa, and Faxemys are toothless. Lastly, Odontochelys, Trionyx, Chelonia, Macrochelys temmincki, Terrapene carolina, pelomedusa, and Faxemys are invagination. This means that they are able to fold up into themselves. This also shows that Bolosaurus and Belebey do not contain any of these traits.
https://pterosaurheresies.wordpress.com/tag/evolution-of-turtles/

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History of Earth and Evidence of Evolution

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History of Earth and Evidence of Evolution

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Odontochelys semitestacea220 million years old (triassic)

http://phenomena.nationalgeographic.com/2008/11/26/heroes-in-a-half-shell-show-how-turtles-evolved/

Proganochelys227-208.5 million (triassic)

https://evolutionforskeptics.wordpress.com/2015/08/21/transitional-fossils-22-through-24-before-the-turtle-had-a-shell/

Carbonemys Cofrinii60 million years old (Cretaceous) http://www.crystalinks.com/fossilturtles.html

Manchurochelyes liaoxensis130 million year old (Cretaceous)http://www.prehistoricstore.com/item.php?item=1619

Ordosemys liaoxiensis125 million years old (Lower Cretaceous)

http://www.fossilmall.com/EDCOPE_Enterprises/Dinosaur_and_Reptile/dino58/turtle-fossil.htm
Stylemys Nebraskensishttp://www.fossilmall.com/Pangaea/pverts/verfossil45/pgv45.htm

Explain how the fossils you researched show evidence of evolution in your taxonomic group.

These fossils show evolution because they show that over time turtles have generally gotten smaller most likely due to the fact that they could not find enough food to survive and reproduce. This also shows evolution because the oldest fossil shows only half a shel, while modern turtles have a shell that covers their whole body. These fossils also show variation of arms and legs. This mostly like means this was a period of evolution where there was a large. gene pool. All of these different traits allowed turtles to live almost anywhere.

Anatomical similarities.

The anatomical structures show evolution because the oldest fossil only has a carapace over half of its body. Over time the turtles grew more of a carapace to protect itself, survive, and reproduce. Turtles along time along also had a long tail, it most likely go shorter over time due to predators and cause more harm that good. Lastly, turtles once had teeth. They mostly likely evolved to not have teeth due to being forced to change their diet, where they did not need teeth.

Homologous Structurehttp://www.riken.jp/en/pr/press/2009/20090710/

https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn17442-embryo-origami-gives-the-turtle-its-shell/

This diagram shows that a turtle's shoulder blade (scapula) is inside of its shell. They have evolved like this to protect them selves, while still providing the same range in movement, such as for swimming. Humans have the same bone, however it is in different location allowing them a greater range of motion to move their arm.

RelatednessGreen Sea Turtlehttps://www.pinterest.com/pin/482729653779394595/

Snapping Turtlehttp://www.scienceiq.com/Facts/HowDoesTheTurtleGetItsShell.cfm

These two diagrams are able to show relatedness because an embryo development is at the very beginning. If they develop very similarly, chances are that they are related. Both diagrams also show a shell outline, this shows the tatty are related because they have adapted to grow a shell at a very early stage in life. Lastly, these two diagrams show a similar head shape This shows that they are related because they have to eat and survive, but also that since their head shape is so similar they have to have had a very close ancestor in the near past.

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In the Testudines Family

Mud Turtle (Kinosternon subrubrum)

Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus)

Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina)

Alligator Snapping Turtle  (Macrochelys temmincki)

Diamondback Terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin)

Map Turtles  (Graptemys)

Galapagos Giant Tortoise (Geochelone elephantopus)

Loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta )

Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas)

Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina)

Red eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans)

Russian tortoise (Testudo horsfieldii)

Chinese three keeled pond turtle (Mauremys reevesii)

Blandings Turtle (Emydoidea blandingii)

Padloper Tortoise (Homopus signatus)

https://www.britannica.com/animal/turtle-reptile

Characteristics

Cold blooded

Shell composed of carapace and plastron

All lay eggs/come from eggs?

Non social animals (do not live and rely on each other. As early as birth they are on their own)

may only be with others for migration if they migrate.

Have a beak like mouth to eat many different types of food (used to have teeth, but lost them many years ago)

Are vertebrae

Hip and shoulder bones are inside their rib cage

http://www.livescience.com/52361-turtle-facts.html

https://www.britannica.com/animal/tortoise

http://animals.jrank.org/pages/3536/Turtles-Tortoises-Testudines-PHYSICAL-CHARACTERISTICS.html

Behavior

Active during the day searching for food

Many pond and swamp turtles use their tongue to lure fish in because it looks like a worm.

Many have a beak like mouth to easily open shells and grab their food (they do not have teeth)

Not social animals at any point of their life

Do not nurture their young

The mother digs a hole in dirt or sand and leaves the eggs there to hatch

All (but the sea turtle) have the ability to retract their necks

Shed their skin

Intertwine tails to reproduce, so their shells line up

http://www.livescience.com/52361-turtle-facts.html
Habitat

Live in or near a body of water for food

Warmer climates

Live alone, but do not mind if other turtle is in the same pond/body of water

Live near dirt or sand to put eggs in

https://www.thoughtco.com/turtles-profile-130793

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/39532-Testudines