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Week 2: Article Evaluation (The Great Chain of Being)

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• Example of the Christian fall of Lucifer appears to be irrelevant after following the descriptions about the hierarchy and the accompanying attributes.

• Another irrelevant information piece is how the inequality of the Scala Naturae caused grievance and lead to political change, just after talking about the subdivisions, and followed by more subdivisions. However, this sentence does a good job of providing information in a neutral way, and the source does it in the same, non-biased manner as well.

• A couple locations where specific information is give, but it needs a citation (Angelic Beings section).

• Some subsections, like "Humanity", "Animals", "Plants", "Minerals" don't have any citations embedded within them.

• All the links seem to be working well, a lot of them are present throughout the article, which is helpful for those less aware/educated about some topics or want a quick refresher. They also look to be correctly formatted.

• Some cases where the writing is done in a 1st person point of view; not sure if this is okay to do in encyclopaedia writing.

• Almost all references appear to be books or journals, which are good resources (according to Wiki).

• Feels like some sections or viewpoints are underrepresented, such as contemporary views on the concepts (Enlightenment, or today), on relationship to evolution (this connection seems to be popular in other articles/resources on the same subject); these sections are overall much shorter and less dense in comparison to initial ones on in the Wiki article.

• The article is part of the WikiProject Philosophy and the History of Science Wikiproject, which aims to add to and better the philosophy and history of science material on Wikipedia; it has a Start-Class rating (incomplete, might/might not cite good sources) and a Mid-Importance rating (good topic but not necessarily vital to the project) for the philosophy project.

• For the History of Science project, it has a Start-Class rating and High-Importance rating (vital to the topic).

• Lots of conversations present on the talk page, ranging from grammar changes (capitalisation), inaccurate information (original author had put "American" in there, which was later removed), and missing sections (implications or effects the Scala Naturae had).

• Overall just a lot of content-related discussion, whether certain things should be added into the article or removed; less so on issues like vandalism and historical backing.

• The way Wikipedia versus our class discusses the article is very different; our class discussed its relation to evolutionary theory (which this article didn't) while this one seemed to focus a lot on the hierarchy/divisions within the ladder and the historical information related to it. Overall, very different takes on one concept, in terms of content discusses, length, etc.

Week 3: Add to an Article

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Article added to: Great chain of being

I made several changes in a couple sentences that lacked structural flow or had poor grammar. In the first sentence of the Divisions section, I edited "...highest perfection, in other words, God." to "...highest perfection: God.". In The Chain section, a particular sentence (the one discussing lack of sensory attributes as a limitation of angels) had too many periods and parentheses, so I restructured the sentence. In addition, I added a citation to the Scala Naturae in Evolution section, specifically to the sentence discussing the impact the Great Chain of Being had on Darwin's work. I cited "The Great Chain of Being" by Snyder (Source 11 in the References list) as the article also made references between Darwin's work and the Great Chain of Being.

Week 4: Organism Dissection Choices

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  1. Turtle - I would like to be able to study and dissect turtles, which would allow for the opportunity to observe their unique internal and external morphologies that's due to their prominent exoskeleton that's not so common among vertebrates. Turtle
  2. Bat - The bat would be extremely interesting to study in comparison with other flying animals (they are the only mammals that can fly), as well as because of their small body size with relatively large wings in proportion. Bat Flight
  3. Rabbit - I would also be interested to study rabbits as they've been common enough in my life to facilitate an interest in their morphology and anatomy, with special interest in their elongated hind legs and their movement resulting from them. Rabbit

Week 5: Turtle Dissection Group Discussion

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Suggested topics:

  • Respiration; turtles have unique respiratory systems that vary among groups. Our group would like to explore the anatomy and mechanisms behind respiration in our turtle specimen.
    • Article: Cloacal bursae and respiration in turtles[1]
    • Article: Respiration in neonate sea turtles[2]
    • Article: Respiration in the Chelys fimbriata[3]
    • Article: Origin of the unique ventilatory apparatus of turtles[4]
    • Article: Numerical Study of the Mechanical Response of Turtle Shell[5]
    • Article: Ventilation and gas exchange in two turtles: Podocnemis unifilis and Phrynops geoffroanus (Testudines: Pleurodira)[6]
    • Article: The anatomy of the respiratory system in Platysternon megacephalum Gray, 1831 (Testudines: Cryptodira) and related species, and its phylogenetic implications[7]
    • Article: Breathing and locomotion: Comparative anatomy, morphology and function[8]
    • Article: The metabolic cost of breathing in red-eared sliders: An attempt to resolve an old controversy[9]
  • Neck Retraction; this section on the Turtle Wiki page is lacking in material and length, and could benefit from discussion on what muscles are used in retraction and their specific functions, and expanding on the two neck retraction groups.
    • Article: Neck motion in turtles[10]
    • Article: A Jurassic stem pleurodire sheds light on the functional origin of neck retraction in turtles
      • https://www.nature.com/articles/srep42376
      • pleurodires horizontally fold, which does not provide more protection than the lateral folding of the Cryptodira, thus it is inferred that the mechanism of head retraction is for feeding purposes more so than for protection.
        • Protection is an exaptation, primary function is to catch prey
  • Sexual dimorphism; explore any existing sexual dimorphism in turtles and within our species and type of turtle.
    • Article: Sexual size dimorphism in turtles[11]
    • Article: Phylogenetic analysis of sexual size dimorphism in turtles[12]
  • Limbs/flippers; expand on the comparative anatomy of limbs/flippers in turtles (dependent on our species/type), and look at the musculature, how they aid in movement, etc.
    • Article: Limb function in swimming in aquatic and terrestrial turtles[13]
  • Internal organ composition/layout; due to the unique anatomy of turtles that result from their shells, this could be a potentially new section to add to the page, discussing the physical arrangement of organs and any resulting developmental/evolutional/morphological effects. This again, is dependent on our turtle type and species, and whether what we find is enough to create an entire section rather than adding and dispersing information throughout the whole article.

Our group also plans on adding images to the Turtle page, once dissections begin. Images could be of internal organs, limbs, musculature, etc.

Things that were noticed when looking over the Turtle wiki page:

  1. Of the 365 known species of turtle, how many are endangered? – Author went from very specific to very vague. Search and see if this information is available.
  2. 2nd paragraph needs work. It doesn’t flow smoothly and topics kind of jump around. Talks about metabolic rate and leatherback sea turtles. Is it only leatherback sea turtles? Clarify and possibly make a separate paragraph discussing the unique features (if that's the case) of leatherbacks vs. other chelodians.
  3. Neck retraction section could be expanded and broken into two paragraphs discussing the anatomical differences (and/or similarities) between the pleurodira and cryptodira necks.
  4. Skin and molting section needs references.
  5. The limb and senses sections have zero citations.
  6. We should create a section specifically on respiration – cloacal and “normal”.
  7. Citations needed when discussing temperature-dependent sex determination in turtles. Also, this should be expanded. TSD is not as simple as cold temp makes boys and warm temps make girls.

References

  1. ^ Sean I., FitzGibbon; Franklin, Craig E. (January 2010). "The importance of the cloacal bursae as the primary sit of aquatic respiration in the freshwater turtle". Australian Zoologist. 35: 276–282 – via Agricola.
  2. ^ Price, Edwin R.; Paladino, Frank V.; Strohl, Kingman P.; T., Pilar Santidrián; Klann, Kenneth; Spotila, James R. "Respiration in neonate sea turtles". Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A: Molecular & Integrative Physiology. 146 (3): 422–428. doi:10.1016/j.cbpa.2006.11.034.
  3. ^ Lenfant, C; Johansen, K (March 1970). "Respiration in the fresh water turtle, Chelys frimbriata". Respiration Physiology. 8. North Holland Publishing: 261–275 – via MEDLINE.
  4. ^ Lyson, Tyler R.; Schachner, Emma R.; Botha-Brink, Jennifer; Scheyer, Torsten M.; Lambertz, Markus; Bever, G. S.; Rubidge, Bruce S.; Queiroz, Kevin de (2014-11-07). "Origin of the unique ventilatory apparatus of turtles". Nature Communications. 5: 5211. doi:10.1038/ncomms6211.
  5. ^ Zhang, Wei; Wu, Chengwei; Zhang, Chenzhao; Chen, Zhen. "Numerical Study of the Mechanical Response of Turtle Shell". Journal of Bionic Engineering. 9 (3): 330–335. doi:10.1016/s1672-6529(11)60129-7.
  6. ^ Cordeiro, Tábata E.F.; Abe, Augusto S.; Klein, Wilfried. "Ventilation and gas exchange in two turtles: Podocnemis unifilis and Phrynops geoffroanus (Testudines: Pleurodira)". Respiratory Physiology & Neurobiology. 224: 125–131. doi:10.1016/j.resp.2014.12.010.
  7. ^ Lambertz, Markus; Böhme, Wolfgang; Perry, Steven F. "The anatomy of the respiratory system in Platysternon megacephalum Gray, 1831 (Testudines: Cryptodira) and related species, and its phylogenetic implications". Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A: Molecular & Integrative Physiology. 156 (3): 330–336. doi:10.1016/j.cbpa.2009.12.016.
  8. ^ Klein, Wilfried; Codd, Jonathan R. "Breathing and locomotion: Comparative anatomy, morphology and function". Respiratory Physiology & Neurobiology. 173: S26–S32. doi:10.1016/j.resp.2010.04.019.
  9. ^ Lee, Stella Y.; Milsom, William K. "The metabolic cost of breathing in red-eared sliders: An attempt to resolve an old controversy". Respiratory Physiology & Neurobiology. 224: 114–124. doi:10.1016/j.resp.2015.10.011.
  10. ^ Werneburg, Ingmar. "Neck motion in turtles and its relation to the shape of the temporal skull region". Comptes Rendus Palevol. 14 (6–7): 527–548. doi:10.1016/j.crpv.2015.01.007.
  11. ^ Agha, M.; Ennen, J. R.; Nowakowski, A. J.; Lovich, J. E.; Sweat, S. C.; Todd, B. D. (2018-03-01). "Macroecological patterns of sexual size dimorphism in turtles of the world". Journal of Evolutionary Biology. 31 (3): 336–345. doi:10.1111/jeb.13223. ISSN 1420-9101.
  12. ^ Gosnell, Stephen J.; Rivera, Gabriel (March 2009). "A Phylogenetic Analysis of Sexual Size Dimorphism in Turtles". Herpetologica. 65: 70–81 – via Academic Search Complete.
  13. ^ Young, Vanessa K. Hilliard; Vest, Kaitlyn G.; Rivera, Angela R. V.; Espinoza, Nora R.; Blob, Richard W. (2017-01-01). "One foot out the door: limb function during swimming in terrestrial versus aquatic turtles". Biology Letters. 13 (1): 20160732. doi:10.1098/rsbl.2016.0732. ISSN 1744-9561. PMID 28123109.

Comments from Dr. Schutz:

  1. This is very well done and you have identified some good gaps and found potentially good references.

Begin your work for next week by building on this good start.

  1. Next steps:
  • Who will focus on which sections? Put your names in this gameplan. Can you confirm that this sandbox is your group sandbox?
  • How will you integrate each others edits?
  • What kinds of images/illustrations will be useful for you to find (see info on appropriate use of images)/produce and contribute?
  • Start drafting some content.
  • Ask me in lab for your study animal so that you can make a plan
  • Make sure all team members complete all training.

Osquaesitor (talk) 23:28, 11 March 2018 (UTC)

Week 6: Draft 1

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Plans to focus research and dissections on respiration (Heather) and neck retraction (Jackie and Yelena).

Yelena

The neck retraction page is extremely limited in material, discussing only the differentiation of the two groups based on their type of neck retraction (Cryptodira and Pleurodira). The article cited discusses how the two monophyletic turtle groups evolved separately in different lineages, based on analysis of a Jurassic stem pleurodire. The two groups resulted in different mechanisms of neck retraction (side-necked turtles and hidden-necked turtles) and different cervical vertebrae that allow for unique morphologies and neck movements (more sagittal or more horizontal flexion). In pleurodires, cervical vertebrae are tall, narrow and set close together to allow for the greatest amount of lateral/horizontal flexion. In cryptodires, cervical vertebrae are wider and zygapophyses are widely spaced, allowing for better sagittal flexion. [1] Consider taking pictures of vertebrae in turtle dissections, if possible to remove and separate from muscles and tissue. The material gathered here and onwards in later weeks should be enough to contribute to form a decent-sized section on neck retraction on the page.

The Cryptodira page does not have any discussion pertaining to anatomy or morphology. Since this is likely to be the suborder of turtle used in research, it would be beneficial to add to the page about cervical vertebrae based on the information in the previously cited article and the following article that used a geometric morphometric approach. [1][2] Unfortunately not much has been found on muscles in the neck and their attachment. I am hoping this information can become available to us through dissections.

Jackie

In the article Turtles, there are a lot of opportunities to supplement information regarding neck retraction. The methods of such differs phylogenetically: the suborder Pleurodira retracts to the side, anterior to shoulder girdles, while the suborder Cryptodira retracts straight back, between shoulder girdles.[3] These differences have different structures to allow for the function, and the function of retraction is made possible by the independent individual cervical vertebrae.[4] Since these vertebrae are not fused, the neck can bend in the backwards and sideways directions. The primary function and evolutionary implication of retracting the neck is for feeding rather than protection, which is not discussed in the article.[5] Neck retraction was more of a neck extension adaptation so the turtle could reach out further to capture prey while swimming. In pleurodires, neck expansion creates suction when the head is thrust forward and the oropharynx is expanded, and this morphology suggests the retraction function is for feeding purposes.[6] The protection the shell provides the head when it is retracted is thus an exaptation.[7]

The sources used to review the function of neck retraction did not include cryptodira, but hopefully further research will elaborate further. In addition, the CC image search did not reveal very many images representing the anatomy of a turtle neck, so uploading pictures taken during dissection will be the best way to add images.   

  1. ^ a b Anquetin, Jérémy; Tong, Haiyan; Claude, Julien (2017-02-16). "A Jurassic stem pleurodire sheds light on the functional origin of neck retraction in turtles". Scientific Reports. 7. doi:10.1038/srep42376. ISSN 2045-2322.
  2. ^ Werneburg, Ingmar; Wilson, Laura A. B.; Parr, William C. H.; Joyce, Walter G. (2014-10-09). "Data from: Evolution of neck vertebral shape and neck retraction at the transition to modern turtles: an integrated geometric morphometric approach". doi:10.5061/dryad.q2409. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  3. ^ Werneburg, I.; Wilson, L. A. B.; Parr, W. C. H.; Joyce, W. G. (2015-03-01). "Evolution of Neck Vertebral Shape and Neck Retraction at the Transition to Modern Turtles: an Integrated Geometric Morphometric Approach". Systematic Biology. 64 (2): 187–204. doi:10.1093/sysbio/syu072. ISSN 1063-5157.
  4. ^ "CHELONIANS - Manual of Exotic Pet Practice - CHAPTER 9". www.sciencedirect.com. Retrieved 2018-03-16.
  5. ^ Van Damme, Johan; Aerts, Peter (1997-08-01). "Kinematics and functional morphology of aquatic feeding in Australian snake-necked turtles (Pleurodira; Chelodina)". Journal of Morphology. 233 (2): 113–125. doi:10.1002/(SICI)1097-4687(199708)233:23.0.CO;2-7. ISSN 1097-4687.
  6. ^ Van Damme, Johan; Aerts, Peter (1997-08-01). "Kinematics and functional morphology of aquatic feeding in Australian snake-necked turtles (Pleurodira; Chelodina)". Journal of Morphology. 233 (2): 113–125. doi:10.1002/(SICI)1097-4687(199708)233:23.0.CO;2-7. ISSN 1097-4687.
  7. ^ Anquetin, Jérémy; Tong, Haiyan; Claude, Julien (2017-02-16). "A Jurassic stem pleurodire sheds light on the functional origin of neck retraction in turtles". Scientific Reports. 7. doi:10.1038/srep42376. ISSN 2045-2322.

Heather

I want to look at the muscles that allow for respiration in the turtle.

Most vertebrates have a rib-cage that is attached to specific musculature (i.e the intercostals, diaphragm in humans), which can pull the rib-cage out for expansion, and thus allow air to flow in to the lungs. However, the turtle has a rib-cage that is fused with their shell (carapace) and, therefore the lungs can not expand or contract like in other vertebrate respiration. Also, the Testudine ribs are external to their pelvic and shoulder girdles, which is unique (as far as I have found) among vertebrates and this constriction of movement (shoulder/pelvic-girdle placement) relative to the respiratory processes (lungs, specific muscles [see below], nares, etc] vs. other vertebrates processes offers unique challenges to the turtle that I am interested in exploring and expanding on.

  • Inspiration
    • transverse abdominus
    • pectoralis
  • Expiration
    • abdominal oblique
    • serratus

Sources

Breathing and locomotion: Comparative anatomy, morphology and function[1]

Ventilation and gas exchange in two turtles: Podocnemis unifilis and Phrynops geoffroanus (Testudines: Pleurodira)[2]

  1. ^ Klein, Wilfried; Codd, Jonathan R. "Breathing and locomotion: Comparative anatomy, morphology and function". Respiratory Physiology & Neurobiology. 173: S26–S32. doi:10.1016/j.resp.2010.04.019.
  2. ^ Cordeiro, Tábata E.F.; Abe, Augusto S.; Klein, Wilfried. "Ventilation and gas exchange in two turtles: Podocnemis unifilis and Phrynops geoffroanus (Testudines: Pleurodira)". Respiratory Physiology & Neurobiology. 224: 125–131. doi:10.1016/j.resp.2014.12.010.

Week 7: Peer Edits

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Jackie's Edits

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Review of Amphiuma

Overall good draft! The information presented seems to be supplementary and easy to understand.

  • Draft 1: Sexual Dimorphism
    • Regarding grammatical flow of the sentences, the second sentence uses "which" twice, making it sound redundant. Otherwise well structured.
  • Draft 2: Sexual Dimorphism of lungs
    • Good information and sources! The information discrepancy is something to be aware of, perhaps posing a question on the Salamander talk page would help sort some of the confusion. For the lungs vs. skin respiration, do these mechanism occur simultaneously or is there a specific stage in the life cycle that features one above the other? Additionally, an expansion on body expansion and compression would be helpful, explaining what the expansion/compression entails.
  • Draft 3: Jaws
    • Good structure, flow, and information! Specifying more obviously which method is strike and which is stationary would help keeping the mechanisms clearly separate.
  • Draft 4: Food Habits
    • Consider rewording the last two sentences, as they are somewhat difficult to follow and there seem to be wording mistakes. As far as content goes, do the sources specify further the implications of the animals eaten beyond crawfish not returning the amount of energy expended? How else do different environments affect the food habits? Are there any special feeding mechanics unique to amphiuma? (<- this could be worked together with the jaws)

Review of Gar

    • Toxicity
      • Sources defining the mechanism behind why some are toxic and some are nontoxic?
    • Swim Bladder
      • Sentence two: specify that "they" means the fish itself. Additionally, how is aerial breathing rate significant? The next sentence could be better tied into the second if specified that aerial breathing is crucial for hypoxic aquatic environments.
    • Anatomy
      • Establish the importance/significance of having paired appendages.
    • Distribution
      • Concise while outlining general geographic range. Good idea of creating an original image to then be uploaded! Overall, good range of information to be added. More sources and information could help bring more to the article(s), but what is already addressed looks to be good additions.

Yelena's Edits

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Review of Bat

User:Caduceus19/sandbox

  • Microbat vision; this section appears to have clear intentions about what to add and edit in the Wiki page, which is great. For every possible proposal, there is reasoning for doing so, which ensures that nothing unnecessary or distracting is going to be added. The draft is very well planned out and organized, though I would consider breaking some sentences down into smaller ones, as they are packed with detail-specific information (such as cell types and functions) that may be hard to process at first sight, and could lead other Wiki users to skim or glaze over the material instead of "digesting it".
  • Evolution and function of microbat teeth; this section provides easy to understand information that can be contributor for other readers. I like that the differences between microbats and megabats were concise and simple. More information and/or sources can be added, though that issue is already addressed by the user, which is good.
  • Fluid intake; this section is a bit small in length and could be supplemented with a bit more to really make a difference to the page. How can you contribute to this topic by studying the bat yourself? Are there structures or features of that bat that can be easily observed to understand this information? Otherwise, the draft has a good start and great information that can be added upon.
  • Flying; overall, this section features a well-laid out draft that is good in flow and structure. All the information concerning flying in bats is well cited and seems to provide lots of pertinent information to bats. There is not much I would change to this draft. The proposal on pregnancy and energy-saving mechanisms in mother bats sounds very like a very interesting topic.

Review on Rabbit

User:Bucl003/sandbox

  • There overall seems to be a pretty even contribution from all team members, and all the proposed sections on discussion the rabbit's ears, thermoregulation, and hind legs are all of good structure and well-planned out with proper citation. The only thing I would say about the group's draft is that it is only slightly disorganized by topic; the topics on the ear and hindlegs seem to be scattered throughout without being grouped together.
  • Ears; the draft of this topic is well structured, though I would suggest adding a few more resources. I like that there are plans to add figures/illustrations, as this is a harder task than adding text and does not appear to be really common in other drafts.
  • Thermoregulation; this section is well organized and appears to be of good length, discussing material in good detail. There are a number of references to other important biological concepts and even ones discussed in lecture, which shows good implementation and use of material. I would suggest adding a few more resources. Also, could discussion of thermoregulation differ between rabbits in different environments, such as those living in deserts versus grasslands? Consider this information given that rabbits populate a number of different environments that vary greatly.
  • Hindlegs; this section overall is easy to read and sounds like an great addition to the Wiki article. Hindlegs are a prominent structure of the rabbit's anatomy, so their discussion will be useful and informative to all readers. You could also contribute to the topic by further discussing the four muscle types that were specified, especially considering that you will have the opportunity to dissect and examine the muscles yourself.

Week 9: Responses to Peer Reviews

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Yelena: The most prominent thing that many peer reviews noted in terms of research topics was how closely Jackie's subject and mine paralleled and in some areas, was very similar. We took into consideration the suggestions our peers put forward and discussed on explicitly defining and differentiating what we would be studying on neck retraction. I will be focusing specifically on morphology effects/form and function (thank you Nsabo!) concerning neck retraction. This means a number of things: finding additional sources and materials, adding to and revising the upcoming draft, and taking more time in lab to focus on neck musculature and the head/vertebrae that's been cooked and how they relate to form and function. We were also given several additional resources in lab about turtle dissections, which look great and should be very useful. Many peer reviews also referenced to the lack of plans for images, so we will expand and work on that as well. In lab this week, we should be able to clean and photograph the head and neck, and take photos of the skeletons and previously dissected turtles. In addition, our group searched and was able to find a few turtle images on Creative Commons that were appropriate for our anatomical perspectives, so we plan to add those as well.

Jackie: There was a consensus of concern regarding Yelena and I both being interested in neck retraction. Suggested solutions for this encouraged Yelena and I to focus on separate implications of the neck retraction. After discussing our options and debating whether one should switch to a different topic, we decided that we would follow the advice of our peers and have different focuses. Thus, Yelena will look at the morphological intricacies of the turtle vertebrae and I will study the ecological and evolutionary intricacies. We will be able to confer some relationships between structure and function, but for the most part Yelena will be in charge of structure and I will worry about function. I will use this week to expand the sources I have for further focus, clarity, and differentiation of my vs. Yelena's sections. This means differences in ecological niches between Cryptodira and Pleurodira, as well as the different evolutionary processes that led to the current separate mechanism. I hope to find if there are any differences in diet and/or habitat between the two, and what the differences present mean.

As far as structure is concerned, a couple of responses expressed dissatisfaction in the sources provided and citation, so I will go over the citations again and try to clean them up. Additionally, concern for the images was voiced, which can only lead me to restate our plans of uploading our own images from the dissections and models in lab.

Heather: Many comments pointed out that I had not actually drafted an article but discussed with my group what I was reviewing. This will definitely be rectified and a completed draft will be uploaded. One reviewer's comment suggested discussing the possible association of the turtles partial aquatic lifestyle in reference to respiration and its shell, and while the name "turtle" is commonly associated with an aquatic or partially aquatic reptile, this is a misnomer. Turtles, tortoises, and terrapins all belong to the order Testudines, which all have the bony shells with fused vertebrae and external girdles, and tortoises are terrestrial. That being said, if this information is not in the wiki turtle article, then I would be more than happy to add this information with the appropriate citations.

After reading the peer reviews I will change or add context to the following:

  • adding the proper in-text citations
  • expanding on the complications of respiration in turtles vs. other vertebrates and how the turtles bodily functions have been affected and adapted
  • uploading pictures (after dissection) of:
  1. turtle lungs
  2. Muscles involved in respiration, if possible [Inspiration: transverse abdominus, pectoralis. Expiration: abdominal oblique, serratus]
  3. Ventral surface of carapace with fused vertebrae and the external girdles

Comments from Dr. Schutz:

  • Excellent work responding to the reviews and finding common patterns. I like the way you have decided to partiion related topics and clarified how the nomenclature can be used to explain your section.
  • As you work through your drafts, be sure to use the rubric I provided

Week 10: Draft 2

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Jackie:

Different species of turtles have two different methods of retracting their heads and necks. The mechanism of neck retraction differs phylogenetically: the suborder Pleurodira retracts laterally to the side, anterior to shoulder girdles, while the suborder Cryptodira retracts straight back, between shoulder girdles.[1] These differences have different structures to allow for the function, but the function of retraction for is made possible by the independent individual cervical vertebrae.[2] Since these vertebrae are not fused and are rounded, the neck is more flexible, being able to bend in the backwards and sideways directions.[3] The primary function and evolutionary implication of retracting the neck is thought to be for feeding rather than protection.[4] Neck retraction is a neck extension adaptation so the turtle can reach out further to capture prey while swimming. In pleurodires, neck expansion creates suction when the head is thrust forward and the oropharynx is expanded, and this morphology suggests the retraction function is for feeding purposes.[4] The protection the shell provides the head when it is retracted is thus an exaptation.[5] As both Pleurodirans and Cryptodirans use the quick extension of the neck as a method of predation, the difference in retraction mechanism is not due to a difference in ecological niche.[6]

The cervical vertebrae of a Cryptodira turtle. The vertebrae curve inward as the neck retracts.

The image to the right shows the cervical vertebrae of a Cryptodiran turtle. The vertebrae are able to curve inward in an S-shape as the head and neck retracts.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference :3 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference :4 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference :02 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference :5 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Anquetin, Jérémy; Tong, Haiyan; Claude, Julien (2017-02-16). "A Jurassic stem pleurodire sheds light on the functional origin of neck retraction in turtles". Scientific Reports. 7. doi:10.1038/srep42376. ISSN 2045-2322.
  6. ^ Biology of turtles. Wyneken, Jeanette, 1956-, Bels, V. L. (Vincent L.), Godfrey, Matthew H. Boca Raton: CRC Press. 2008. ISBN 0849333393. OCLC 144570900.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)

Yelena:

Turtles exhibit one of two methods of neck retraction by their assignment into the Cryptodira or Pleurodira suborder. The Cryptodira are characterized by retraction of the head in the vertical plane, which permits for primarily vertical movements and restricted lateral movements outside of the shell.[1] These motions are largely due to the morphology and arrangement of cervical vertebrae. Of all recent turtles, the cervical column consists of nine joints and eight vertebrae.[2] Compared to the narrow vertebrae and the closely positioned zygapophyses of the pleurodires, the cryptodires’ vertebrae take on the opposite shape. Their cervical vertebrae are more distended, and their zygapophyses (processes that interlock adjacent vertebrae) are much more widely spaced - features allowing for a condition called ginglymoidy, and ultimately, their “hidden” neck retraction. Ginglymoidy refers to the double articulation where articulation between the sixth and seventh vertebrae and the seventh and eighth vertebrae allows for bending of the neck into an S shape. Formation of this S shape occurs in one plane that enables retraction into the shell. [3]

Cryptodiran neck retraction is also dependent on associated cervical musculature for its characteristic motions. In a study that focused solely on the mechanism of neck retraction in Chelodina (Pleurodire) versus that of Apalone (Cryptodire), an absence of the longissimus system, the Iliocostalis system and minimization of the epaxial musculature was found. An absence of the longissimus system (with primary functions of moving the neck) results in poorly developed transverse processes (the lateral processes of a vertebra), forcing them to be developed in a more cranial location. The iliocostalis system, used for lateral flexion and extension of the vertebral column, is commonly absent in all turtles.[4]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference :2 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Biology of turtles. Wyneken, Jeanette, 1956-, Bels, V. L. (Vincent L.), Godfrey, Matthew H. Boca Raton: CRC Press. 2008. ISBN 0849333393. OCLC 144570900.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  3. ^ "ginglymoidy - oi". {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference :6 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).

Heather:

Respiration, for many amniotes, is achieved by the contraction and relaxation of specific muscle groups (i.e. intercostals, abdominal muscles, and/or a diaphragm) attached to an internal rib-cage that can expand or contract the body wall thus allowing air to flow in and out of the lungs.[1] In Testudines, however, their rigid shell and a lack of intercostal muscles prevent this type of costal ventilation from occuring.[1][2] The ribs of chelonians are fused with their carapace, and external to their pelvic and pectoral girdles, a feature unique among turtles. However, by rendering their rib-cage immobile Testudines have had to evolve special adaptations in overcoming their rigid shell to allow for respiratory processes.[3] However, the turtle has evolved unique adaptations to overcome their rigid shell and fused ribs by using specific groups of abdominal muscles attached to their viscera and shell to pull the lungs down and then push them back up.[1] In expiration, the contraction of the transversus abdominus is the driving force by propelling the viscera into the lungs and pushing out air.[3] Conversely, the relaxing and flattening of the oblique abdominis muscle pulls the transversus back down, thereby allowing air to flow back into the lungs due to the negative air pressure inside the lungs relative to the higher air pressure in the coelomic cavity.[3] Other muscles used in ventilation, though not the impetus, are the pectoralis, used in conjunction with the transverse abdominis during inspiration, and the serratus, which moves with the abdominal oblique allowing expiration to occur.

The lungs of Testudines are attached their entire length down the carapace, and are multi-chambered, however, the number of chambers can vary between taxa though most commonly they have three lateral chambers, three medial chambers, and one terminal chamber.[4] As previously mentioned, the act of specific abdominal muscles pulling down the viscera (or pushing back up) is what allows for respiration in turtles. Specifically, it is the turtles large liver that pulls or pushes on the lungs.[3] Ventral to the lungs, in the coelomic cavity, the liver of turtles is attached directly to the right lung, and their stomach is directly attached to the left lung by the ventral mesopneumonium, which is then attached to their liver by the ventral mesentery.[3] When the liver is pulled down, inspiration begins. Supporting the lungs is the post-pulmonary septum, which is found in all Testudines, and is thought to prevent the lungs from collapsing.[5]

  1. ^ a b c Cordeiro, Tábata E.F.; Abe, Augusto S.; Klein, Wilfried. "Ventilation and gas exchange in two turtles: Podocnemis unifilis and Phrynops geoffroanus (Testudines: Pleurodira)". Respiratory Physiology & Neurobiology. 224: 125–131. doi:10.1016/j.resp.2014.12.010.
  2. ^ Lee, Stella Y.; Milsom, William K. "The metabolic cost of breathing in red-eared sliders: An attempt to resolve an old controversy". Respiratory Physiology & Neurobiology. 224: 114–124. doi:10.1016/j.resp.2015.10.011.
  3. ^ a b c d e Lyson, Tyler R.; Schachner, Emma R.; Botha-Brink, Jennifer; Scheyer, Torsten M.; Lambertz, Markus; Bever, G. S.; Rubidge, Bruce S.; Queiroz, Kevin de (2014-11-07). "Origin of the unique ventilatory apparatus of turtles". Nature Communications. 5. doi:10.1038/ncomms6211. ISSN 2041-1723.
  4. ^ Lambertz, Markus; Böhme, Wolfgang; Perry, Steven F. "The anatomy of the respiratory system in Platysternon megacephalum Gray, 1831 (Testudines: Cryptodira) and related species, and its phylogenetic implications". Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A: Molecular & Integrative Physiology. 156 (3): 330–336. doi:10.1016/j.cbpa.2009.12.016.
  5. ^ Klein, Wilfried; Codd, Jonathan R. "Breathing and locomotion: Comparative anatomy, morphology and function". Respiratory Physiology & Neurobiology. 173: S26–S32. doi:10.1016/j.resp.2010.04.019.

Week 11: Illustrating an Article

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Jackie: Image uploaded in Week 10 alongside the draft. It shows the cervical vertebrae of a Cryptodira and how the vertebrae curve inwards when retracting the neck. The image was self-uploaded through the Commons of Wikipedia, so it is now available for usage within Wikipedia.

Skull of cryptodiran turtle from the Emydidae family.
Dorsal view of skull and cervical vertebrae of a cryptodiran turtle from the Emydidae family. Not all cervical vertebrae are visible due to the dissection cut.

Yelena: Images of the skull and cervical vertebrae of a previous dissection turtle were uploaded. Once vertebrae are fully cleaned and cooked, plan to annotate the image. With further labs and dissection time, also plan on examining the cervical vertebrae and musculature of our own turtle specimen.


Heather: Ventral view of turtle carapace with fused ribs and vertebrae.

Next Tuesday during dissection I plan on cutting open the lung, viewing it under the dissecting scope, and taking pictures to upload. I am in the process of editing a third picture of the turtle musculature where I have outlined and identified the important muscles of respiration.


Draft #2 and Illustration Feedback:

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  1. General

• All team members should be helping each other make their sections clear. • The article citation element format is off somehow. Please make sure it is fixed before making edits to the actual pages. • If you do a search on turtle skeleton in Wikipedia, you come up with a large set of images that may be of use to you. Please make sure that anything you add is going to continue to add a contribution to the content. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Search&limit=20&offset=20&profile=images&search=turtle+skeleton&searchToken=3e3cdbvisjfsnm5dmj4gt74ci

  1. Jackie

• The language in this section needs copy-editing for clarity. • That the shell is an exaptation does not follow from your previous statements. Yes, you link to the definition, but you don’t explain how that term applies to this specific trait. You say “thus” but that does not follow from your presented information. Explain. This section also breaks up the discussion about the use of the neck in predation which makes it hard to red. Has there been a proposal that the differences in retraction were related to ecological niches??? Is that discussed in the portion of the article you are editing? If not, it needs context. • Finally, much of your section overlaps with Yelena’s (although hers has more detail). From your previous plan, I can see that you were planning on contributing to different pages, so I assume that Yelena’s section is more technical and yours gives a quick overview. However, you do not link to the page that Yelena is editing…? • it is critical that you both provide an update for what pages you are both adding to and how you will integrate each other’s work via links. • Image: If you plan on using this view, you will need a somewhat closer view of the vertebrae to have a cleaner look. What additional editing do you plan to do to help your viewer see what you want them to see? Check out the work of students from last year for some ideas.

  1. Yelena

• This section is well done. • Which page are you editing? • Because of the similarity with Jackie’s content it is critical that you both provide an update for what pages you are both adding to and how you will integrate each other’s work via links. • Image: Good plan for the images, the skull should be fully clean soon.

  1. Heather

• Well done. Good organization and flow. • What page do you plan to edit? • Impetus…not a good word to use when you mean that it is not the primary muscle working. Find another. • Image: How do you plan on integrating this with other images that are similar on Wikipedia? o Make sure that you indicate what kind of turtle this is to the best of your ability.

Week 12: Updated Plan

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Given our feedback and suggestions from last week, Jackie's draft will be going into main Turtle page, and my section will be split up into the main Turtle page and the Cryptodira page. When cross-referencing between our two drafts, we were able to find a number of possibilities where we could link our two subjects together among the two different pages. For now, we plan on shifting our draft to Heather's sandbox to ensure that our citations and sources are working properly, and then go live from there on the main Turtle page. In the upcoming weeks, plan to add more images from dissections, revise the draft on neck musculature, and move more of our drafts onto the live Wikipedia pages.

Moving small sections into Heather's sandbox was a success; our resources transferred properly and everything seemed to be functioning properly. Jackie and I moved small sections of our drafts into the Neck Retraction section page, which doubled in size (yay!) and are excited to move the rest of our drafts slowly onto the Turtle and the Cryptodira page.

Week 13: Continuation of adding to articles

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This week, we are going to review the talk pages of the articles we edited to check any comments made and concerns raised. Once addressed, we will continue moving over the rest of our drafts and images.

Week 14: Final Article

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I reviewed both the Turtle and Cryptodira talk pages for any additional feedback from other Wiki users, and then proceeded to revise and upload images and the final portion of my work on neck musculature to the Cryptodira page.

The revised draft on neck musculature:

Cryptodiran neck retraction is also dependent on associated cervical musculature for its characteristic motions. In a study that focused solely on the mechanism of neck retraction in Chelodina (Pleurodire) versus that of Apalone (Cryptodire), an absence of the longissimus system, the Iliocostalis system and minimization of the epaxial musculature was found.[1] Absence of longissimus musculature, which primarily functions in moving the neck via ipsilateral flexion and contralateral rotation, contributes to the backwards retraction of the neck into the shell. Lack of this muscular system also results in poorly developed transverse processes (the lateral processes of a vertebra), forcing them to be developed in a more cranial direction. The iliocostalis system, used for lateral flexion and extension of the vertebral column, is commonly absent in all turtles. With the presence of a shell, these muscular movements are no longer possible. Epaxial musculature that functions in alternated forms of stepping and walking is minimized in turtles, due to their restricted stride lengths and heavily weighted shells. [2]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference :6 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "Epaxial and hypaxial muscles - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics". www.sciencedirect.com. Retrieved 2018-05-12.

Great job team! It's been a pleasure working with you two! :)

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-- Heather

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