TURTLE embryos without limbs have biologists stumped. The legless embryos are able to move to the warmest parts of their eggs.
The behaviour of Chinese soft-shelled turtle embryos (Pelodiscus sinensis) mimics that of adult reptiles basking in the sun to warm their blood. Rick Shine of the University of Sydney, Australia, observed 800 embryos moving towards a heat source placed outside their eggs, and following the source if it moved (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1102965108).
Shine says the extra warmth may help them hatch earlier or have positive benefits for their health, but he has…
