Scutation

The morphology of dermal scutation in callichthyids is quite different from that in loricariids, with two rather than three more series of overlapping plates along the body, suggesting that the types of scutation in callichthyids and loricariids are non-homologous.

There has been a great deal of stability in scutation of the carapace during chelonian evolution (Zangerl and Johnson, 1957).

The dorsal scutations and configurations of the cephalic plates are also different in the two species.

With regard to the comparative anatomy of the bones of the skull, and the pattern of the scutation of the upper surface of the cranium, I regret that the state of the specimen in Professor Bell's collection does not permit the deduction of other distinctive characters which such parts of the cranial organization so satisfactorily afford.