Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Fixed Action Patterns01:06

Fixed Action Patterns

17.8K
A fixed action pattern (FAP) is a specific, hard-wired sequence of behaviors that occurs in response to an external stimulus, called a sign stimulus. The behavior is “fixed” because it is essentially unchangeable—proceeding similarly across individuals of a species every time it occurs.
17.8K
Changes in the Appendicular Skeleton with Age01:09

Changes in the Appendicular Skeleton with Age

3.8K
The upper and lower limb initially develops as a small bulge called a limb bud, which appears on the lateral side of the early embryo. The upper limb bud appears near the end of the fourth week of development, with the lower limb bud appearing shortly after.
Initially, the limb buds consist of a core of mesenchyme covered by a layer of ectoderm. The ectoderm at the end of the limb bud thickens to form a narrow crest called the apical ectodermal ridge. This ridge stimulates the underlying...
3.8K
Bone Markings01:26

Bone Markings

8.5K
Bones have various surface features that help form joints and attach to other soft tissues. Depending on the function, bone markings are categorized into articulating projections, processes for attachment, depressions, and openings.
Articulating Projections
Articulating projections are found where two bones meet to form a joint. These structures are usually found at the ends of bones. The largest articulation is a rounded projection called the head, supported by a narrow neck at the ends of...
8.5K
Mechanism of Lamellipodia Formation01:31

Mechanism of Lamellipodia Formation

3.8K
Cells migrating in response to external stimuli form lamellipodia, which are thin membrane protrusions supported by a mesh of linked, branched, or unbranched actin filaments. These actin filaments interact with myosin motor proteins, creating the dynamic actomyosin complex within the cytoskeleton. Contractility, or the ability to generate contractile stress, is inherent to the actomyosin complex. It helps cells detect the stiffness of the surrounding ECM and exert contractile force for...
3.8K
Gastrulation01:56

Gastrulation

68.1K
Gastrulation establishes the three primary tissues of an embryo: the ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm. This developmental process relies on a series of intricate cellular movements, which in humans transforms a flat, “bilaminar disc” composed of two cell sheets into a three-tiered structure. In the resulting embryo, the endoderm serves as the bottom layer, and stacked directly above it is the intermediate mesoderm, and then the uppermost ectoderm. Respectively, these tissue strata...
68.1K
Determination01:51

Determination

21.2K
During embryogenesis, cells become progressively committed to different fates through a two-step process: specification followed by determination. Specification is demonstrated by removing a segment of an early embryo, “neutrally” culturing the tissue in vitro—for example, in a petri dish with simple medium—and then observing the derivatives. If the cultured region gives rise to cell types that it would normally generate in the embryo, this means that it is specified. In...
21.2K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

The anlagen of evo-devo in Fritz Müller's Für Darwin (1864).

Developmental biology·2025
Same author

A complex mechanism translating variation of a simple genetic architecture into alternative life histories.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·2024
Same author

The IgLON family of cell adhesion molecules expressed in developing neural circuits ensure the proper functioning of the sensory system in mice.

Scientific reports·2024
Same author

Inter-kingdom communication and the sympoietic way of life.

Frontiers in cell and developmental biology·2024
Same author

"When does human life begin?" teaching human embryology in the context of the American abortion debate.

Developmental biology·2024
Same author

Reprint of: Prelude to molecularization: The double gradient model of Sulo Toivonen and Lauri Saxén.

Cells & development·2024
Same journal

Temporal trajectories underlying adult neuronal diversity.

Current opinion in genetics & development·2026
Same journal

Transcription regulation of cell fate plasticity - from embryonic development to tissue regeneration.

Current opinion in genetics & development·2026
Same journal

Shared molecular and cellular programs during regeneration of glandular epithelia.

Current opinion in genetics & development·2026
Same journal

Lineage tracing in human cortical development.

Current opinion in genetics & development·2026
Same journal

Cis-regulatory strategies in developmental patterning.

Current opinion in genetics & development·2026
Same journal

GABAergic neuron fate specification and lineage allocation: from development to disorder.

Current opinion in genetics & development·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 1, 2026

Processing Embryo, Eggshell, and Fungal Culture for Scanning Electron Microscopy
09:15

Processing Embryo, Eggshell, and Fungal Culture for Scanning Electron Microscopy

Published on: August 16, 2019

10.0K

Patterning of the turtle shell.

Jacqueline E Moustakas-Verho1, Judith Cebra-Thomas2, Scott F Gilbert3

  • 1Developmental Biology Program, Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5 (P.O. Box 56), FIN-00014 Helsinki, Finland.

Current Opinion in Genetics & Development
|June 2, 2017
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Turtle shell evolution is studied in developmental biology. Researchers explore how shell diversity arises from developmental changes, impacting anatomy and adaptation.

More Related Videos

Ocular Kinematics Measured by In Vitro Stimulation of the Cranial Nerves in the Turtle
10:49

Ocular Kinematics Measured by In Vitro Stimulation of the Cranial Nerves in the Turtle

Published on: June 2, 2018

8.8K
Characterization Of Multi-layered Fish Scales Atractosteus spatula Using Nanoindentation, X-ray CT, FTIR, and SEM
10:06

Characterization Of Multi-layered Fish Scales Atractosteus spatula Using Nanoindentation, X-ray CT, FTIR, and SEM

Published on: July 10, 2014

15.6K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Mar 1, 2026

Processing Embryo, Eggshell, and Fungal Culture for Scanning Electron Microscopy
09:15

Processing Embryo, Eggshell, and Fungal Culture for Scanning Electron Microscopy

Published on: August 16, 2019

10.0K
Ocular Kinematics Measured by In Vitro Stimulation of the Cranial Nerves in the Turtle
10:49

Ocular Kinematics Measured by In Vitro Stimulation of the Cranial Nerves in the Turtle

Published on: June 2, 2018

8.8K
Characterization Of Multi-layered Fish Scales Atractosteus spatula Using Nanoindentation, X-ray CT, FTIR, and SEM
10:06

Characterization Of Multi-layered Fish Scales Atractosteus spatula Using Nanoindentation, X-ray CT, FTIR, and SEM

Published on: July 10, 2014

15.6K

Area of Science:

  • Developmental biology
  • Evolutionary biology
  • Comparative anatomy

Background:

  • The turtle shell, a unique bony exoskeleton, is key to understanding morphological diversity.
  • Shells are typically composed of two parts with ectoderm-derived epidermal scutes forming a stable pattern.
  • Variations in shell development are linked to ecological adaptations and evolutionary novelty.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the origin and evolution of the turtle shell.
  • To explore how developmental changes drive morphological diversity in turtles.
  • To understand the relationship between shell development, anatomy, and adaptive physiology.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative analysis of turtle shell morphology across different lineages.
  • Investigating developmental processes underlying shell formation and variation.
  • Examining the genetic and molecular mechanisms influencing shell development.

Main Results:

  • Turtles exhibit a two-component shell structure with ectodermal scutes.
  • Shell reduction or loss in some lineages correlates with distinct ecological habits.
  • Developmental plasticity in shell formation contributes to evolutionary novelty.

Conclusions:

  • The turtle shell provides a model system for studying evolutionary novelty and developmental integration.
  • Understanding shell development sheds light on adaptive evolution in vertebrates.
  • Turtles' shell diversity offers insights into the interplay of development, anatomy, and ecology.