Is a Turtle Shell Really Modified Ribs?

It’s thought that the evolution of turtles
A turtle shell is not a shell at all but is made up of specially evolved ribs.

Carapace of the red-eared slider turtle (inset). (a) Cross-section

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Museum of Osteology - #TurtleTuesday! 🐢 The evolution of the turtle's shell is unique because of how the carapace represents transformed vertebrae and ribs. While other tetrapods have their scapula, or shoulder

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Evolution of the carapace by modification of the rib.(a) Basal

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