The Baurusuchidae is one of the most representative families of Crocodyliformes from the Upper Cretaceous of Brazil. Amongst the ten recognized species of the family in the world, eight are recovered from Bauru Basin outcrops. Despite its relative diversity and abundance, information on postcranial elements of species of the family is scarce in the literature. Campinasuchus dinizi is a baurusuchid found in the neocretaceous redstones of the Adamantina Formation of Bauru Basin (SE Brazil). The postcranial skeleton of the species is described based on five specimens, with the following bone elements identified: proatlas, intercentrum of the atlas; pedicles of the atlas; odontoid process; axis; three postaxial cervical vertebrae; nine dorsal vertebrae; eight caudal vertebrae; seven ribs and gastralia fragments; eleven chevrons; twelve osteoderms; pectoral and pelvic girdle; humerus; radius; ulna; manus; femur; tibia; fibula; and pes. Campinasuchus dinizi has the smallest and most delicate postcranial skeleton when compared with examined Baurusuchidae, with an inferred body mass of approximately 28 kg. Some elements of the postcranial skeleton of C. dinizi are also comparatively more robust (e.g. neural spines higher and more developed; vertebral body thicker; pelvic girdle more proeminent; limbs more elongated) than in some notosuchians, such as Mariliasuchus amarali and Notosuchus terrestris, and extant crocodyliforms such as Caiman latirostris and Melanosuchus niger. The mostly straight limbs of C. dinizi indicate a terrestrial habit, and suggests a semi-upright to upright posture during locomotion. The first descriptions of postcranial bones of a young specimen of C. dinizi and osteoderms of Pissarrachampsinae as well as comments about the distinct anatomy of some of those elements are also presented.
Background
The southern tamandua,
Tamandua tetradactyla
(Linnaeus, 1758), is the most common species of anteater. Even though much is known about its ecology, behavior, and parasites, there is very limited information about bone diseases in
Tamandua
and other anteaters. Here, we examined postcranial skeletons of 64
T. tetradactyla
museum specimens covering most of the material available in Brazilian collections.
Results
The following bone diseases were identified for the first time in
Tamandua
and other extant and fossil vermilinguans: osteophytes, osteitis, osteoarthritis, periostitis, exostoses, enthesopathies, and a severe chronic pyogenic osteomyelitis associated with fistulae, cloacae (pus), bone loss, and neoformation processes. Musculoskeletal reconstruction revealed that an old specimen was restricted to terrestrial locomotion due to osteopathological processes that impaired its climbing.
Conclusions
New osteopathological informations are presented for
T. tetradactyla
, favoring a better understanding of the expression of some bone diseases in wild animals. In addition, the diagnosis of these bone diseases in living anteaters provides useful information for studies on animal health and welfare, as well as contributing to the more effective recognition of paleodiseases in fossil xenarthrans.
The evolution of the human species is a topic of extreme importance reported in the "Parâmetros Curriculares Nacionais do Ensino Médio-PCNEM" (National Curriculum Standards of Secondary Education), although it is not often taught as part of basic education. This work presents the results of an experimental work performed with 31 students of a religious high school of State of Rio de Janeiro. Learning proficiency was assessed by using twodimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) illustration techniques of hominids skulls and a Pongidae for teaching Human Evolution. The teaching-learning process using these methodologies was more effective with the application of three-dimensional (3D) illustration techniques. The group of students that used 3D illustrations were able to observe similarities and differences between the presented taxonomic models, and formulate hypotheses about their palaeobiology more consistently than the students that used 2D models. Results of this work indicate that the use of threedimensional techniques (3D) provides an excellent support to teaching-learning process in basic education, captivating and stimulating new interests of students during the educational process.
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