Pulmonary anatomy and a case of unilateral aplasia in a common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina): developmental perspectives on cryptodiran lungs.

摘要: The common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina) is a well studied and broadly distributed member of Testudines; however, very little known concerning developmental anomalies soft tissue pathologies turtles other reptiles. Here, we present an unusual case unilateral pulmonary aplasia, asymmetrical carapacial kyphosis, mild scoliosis in live adult C. serpentina. detailed three-dimensional (3D) anatomy the respiratory system both pathological normal C. serpentina, hatchling are visualized using computed tomography (CT), microCT, 3D digital anatomical models. In turtle, right lung consists extrapulmonary bronchus that terminates blind stump with no present. left hyperinflated relative to adult, occupying extra coelomic space facilitated by mid-carapacial kyphotic bulge. bronchial tree retains overall bauplan specimens, some minor downstream variation number secondary airways. primary difference between internal structure individual marked increase surface area density parenchymal originating from airways, 14.3% volume ratio. Despite this, aplasia has not had impact upon ability survive; it did interfere aquatic locomotion buoyancy control under water. This represents striking example non-fatal congenital defect compensatory visceral hypertrophy.