Chondrogenesis of the limbs and mesopodial ossification of Podocnemis expansa Schweigger, 1812 (Testudines: Podocnemidae)

We address the chondrogenic formation of the limbs and the mesopodial ossification pattern of the Pleurodira Podocnemis expansa, to resolve the homology of these elements as well as the pattern of connection of the autopodial elements and the origin of the digital arch. Embryos and juveniles of P. expansa were cleared and stained for cartilage and bone. The fore‐ and hind‐limbs were also studied histologically. We describe the development of the stylopodium and zeugopodium originating from a Y‐shaped cartilaginous condensation, and the differentiation of the primary axis and the digital arch in the initial stages of limb development. The most pronounced changes were observed in the chondrogenic pattern and ossification of the mesopodium, although development of the digits is similar and we found no ontogenetic reduction such as that described for other Testudines. In this study, as in previous research involving several groups of reptilian sauropsids, we found an inconsistent pattern between the chondrogenic formation and mesopodial ossification of the limbs, indicating that these developmental events are dissociated. In summary, the chondrogenic and ossification sequences of these elements do not follow the same pattern. In addition, the differences found between P. expansa and other species to which it was compared clearly indicate that these events follow more than one pattern in Testudines. J. Morphol., 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.