Shell and long-bone histology, skeletochronology, and lifestyle of Araripemys barretoi (Testudines: Pleurodira), a side-necked turtle of the Lower Cretaceous from Brazil.

In this study we provide a comprehensive investigation of the microanatomical and microstructural aspects of the carapace and limb bones of the Early Cretaceous side-necked turtle, Araripemys barretoi, from the Araripe Basin, Brazil. Inter-elemental histovariability reveals different secondary remodelling of the skeletal elements within the same individual. The vascularisation is scarce and mainly longitudinal, also it ceases towards the bone surface, forming an avascular parallel-fibred bone with closely spaced LAGs.