On the origin of high growth rates in archosaurs and their ancient relatives: Complementary histological studies on Triassic archosauriforms and the problem of a “phylogenetic signal” in bone histology

Ricqlès, Armand de; Padian, Kevin; Knoll, Fabien; Horner, John R.

doi:10.1016/j.annpal.2008.03.002

Cited by 152 publications

(238 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…If such conditions are demonstrated, normalized growth comparisons can complement more traditional body mass growth curve modeling. Our evaluation demonstrates two completely different growth histories in related taxa possessing LAGs and provides further evidence that the presence of LAGs is unrelated to metabolism or growth rate, and is likely a plesiomorphic characteristic retained by most, if not all, vertebrate groups (e.g., de Ricqlès et al 2008).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Maiasaura, a model organism for extinct vertebrate population biology: a large sample statistical assessment of growth dynamics and survivorship

Woodward¹,

Fowler²,

Farlow³

et al. 2015

Paleobiology

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114

188

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Abstract.-Fossil bone microanalyses reveal the ontogenetic histories of extinct tetrapods, but incomplete fossil records often result in small sample sets lacking statistical strength. In contrast, a histological sample of 50 tibiae of the hadrosaurid dinosaur Maiasaura peeblesorum allows predictions of annual growth and ecological interpretations based on more histologic data than any previous large sample study. Tibia length correlates well (R 2 > 0.9) with diaphyseal circumference, cortical area, and bone wall thickness, thereby allowing longitudinal predictions of annual body size increases based on growth mark circumference measurements. With an avian level apposition rate of 86.4 μm/day, Maiasaura achieved over half of asymptotic tibia diaphyseal circumference within its first year. Mortality rate for the first year was 89.9% but a seven year period of peak performance followed, when survivorship (mean mortality rate = 12.7%) was highest. During the third year of life, Maiasaura attained 36% (x = 1260 kg) of asymptotic body mass, growth rate was decelerating (18.2 μm/day), cortical vascular orientation changed, and mortality rate briefly increased. These transitions may indicate onset of sexual maturity and corresponding reallocation of resources to reproduction. Skeletal maturity and senescence occurred after 8 years, at which point the mean mortality rate increased to 44.4%. Compared with Alligator, an extant relative, Maiasaura exhibits rapid cortical increase early in ontogeny, while Alligator cortical growth is much lower and protracted throughout ontogeny. Our life history synthesis of Maiasaura utilizes the largest histological sample size for any extinct tetrapod species thus far, demonstrating how large sample microanalyses strengthen paleobiological interpretations.Holly N. Woodward*. Museum of the Rockies,

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Maiasaura, a model organism for extinct vertebrate population biology: a large sample statistical assessment of growth dynamics and survivorship

Woodward¹,

Fowler²,

Farlow³

et al. 2015

Paleobiology

Self Cite

114

188

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“…To do this, we investigated histological characteristics reflecting the general pattern of growth and maturation of bone tissues, and thus correlating with the ontogenetic age of the animal. These include mostly vascular features, such as vascular architecture and density, and the relative compactness of the vascular canals, the relative extent of secondary remodeling, and the relative amount of woven bone in the cortex (see e.g., Chinsamy 1994;Varricchio 1993;Erickson and Tumanova 2000;Horner et al 2000de Ricqlès et al 2001de Ricqlès et al , 2003de Ricqlès et al , 2004de Ricqlès et al , 2008Starck and Chinsamy 2002;Chinsamy-Turan 2005;Erickson 2005; Klein and Sander 2008;Stein et al 2010;Stein and Prondvai 2013). Because of the highly variable extent of erosion cavities and the uncertainties related to the development of the mandibular symphyses, we did not use lines of arrested growth (LAGs) as an indicator to assess ontogenetic ages.…”

Section: Qualitative Histological Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

“…We investigated the relationships with different qualitative and quantitative methods, and also explored the consistency level among the independent results. Because qualitative evaluation of Prondvai E. | 6 bone histological characters is a conventional method for drawing various biological inferences about extinct vertebrates (e.g., Horner et al 2000de Ricqlès et al 2001de Ricqlès et al , 2003de Ricqlès et al , 2004de Ricqlès et al , 2008Sander 2000;Chinsamy-Turan 2005;Erickson 2005;Sander et al 2006;Klein 2010), an important element of our study is that the histomorphometric methods applied here also test how biased the qualitative judgment of measurable histological variables can be. Thus, in addition to the more species-specific points of interest, this study also presents a new methodological approach in intraspecific paleobiological research.…”

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confidence: 99%

Does morphology reflect osteohistology-based ontogeny? A case study of Late Cretaceous pterosaur jaw symphyses from Hungary reveals hidden taxonomic diversity

Prondvai¹,

Bodor²,

Ősi³

2014

Paleobiology

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Abstract.-With a single complete mandible and 56 mandibular symphyseal fragments of various sizes, the Late Cretaceous Hungarian azhdarchid material has been considered one of the most extensive monospecific pterosaur assemblages in the world. Representing a broad size range, these elements have been thought to demonstrate a developmental series of Bakonydraco galaczi. As such, they were ideal to test whether absolute size and/or morphology reliably indicate relative ontogenetic stages in this pterosaur. Forty-five specimens were selected for multivariate morphometrics and classified into four size classes. After acquiring the morphometric data set, we thin-sectioned eight symphyses representing all size groups and classified them into relative ontogenetic stages based on qualitative microstructural inspection prior to quantitative histological analyses. Microstructural characters suggestive of developmental state were then quantified for intra-and interindividual uni-and multivariate analyses to test the correspondence among the results of qualitative and quantitative analyses.In contrast to our expectations, histological features identified the smallest specimen as an adult and not an early juvenile. The substantial size difference between this specimen and other adults, along with its distinct microanatomical and histological features, implies the presence of at least two pterosaur taxa in this symphysis assemblage. This hypothesis is further supported by multivariate morphometrics, which separate the smallest symphyses from all other specimens that form one continuous group. Although the latter group also shows considerable size variability in corresponding ontogenetic stages, this suggests developmental plasticity rather than the presence of even more taxa, and indicates that symphysis size and morphology are poor indicators of skeletal maturity in these animals. Hence, bone histology is an important independent test of the assessment of ontogenetic stage using size and morphology. The Late Cretaceous (Santonian) vertebrate locality at Iharkút (Bakony Mountains) in western Hungary has provided numerous azhdarchid pterosaur remains, including elements from the axial and appendicular skeleton as well as from the skull. Nevertheless, the only diagnostic element known so far, on which the Hungarian medium-sized azhdarchid Bakonydraco galaczi was described, is a complete lower jaw ( si et al. β00ő). Besides this uniquely preserved, three-dimensional, edentulous mandible, 56 additional symphyseal fragments have been discovered over several years of excavation, making them the most frequently found pterosaur elements in the locality. Although these additional mandibular symphyses represent a great size range, their overall appearance is practically identical to the symphysis of the holotype mandible, and therefore they have been thought to represent the largest monospecific azhdarchid pterosaur assemblage to date ( si et al. β00ő, 2012). The abundance of these mandibular symphyses made it possible for us to condu...

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“…Basal archosauromorphs and archosauriforms such as rhynchosaurids, proterosuchids, erythrosuchids, euparkeriids etc. all have higher vascular density and generally more extensive medullar cavity in their limb bones (de Ricqlés et al 2008;Botha-Brink and Smith 2011) than those observable in the fragmentary specimen. Moreover, the former groups exhibit large perimedullary erosion rooms in the long bone cortex (de Ricqlés et al 2008;Botha-Brink and Smith 2011), features that are almost completely absent in the unidentified bone.…”

Section: Remarks On the Enigmatic Possibly Terrestrial Bonementioning

confidence: 99%

“…all have higher vascular density and generally more extensive medullar cavity in their limb bones (de Ricqlés et al 2008;Botha-Brink and Smith 2011) than those observable in the fragmentary specimen. Moreover, the former groups exhibit large perimedullary erosion rooms in the long bone cortex (de Ricqlés et al 2008;Botha-Brink and Smith 2011), features that are almost completely absent in the unidentified bone. Unlike in our specimen, limb bone histology in Triassic pseudosuchians can be Central European Geology 56, 2013 characterized by very frequent and much more distinct, cyclical LAG deposition throughout the entire cortex (de Ricqlés et al 2003).…”

Section: Remarks On the Enigmatic Possibly Terrestrial Bonementioning

confidence: 99%

First report of Triassic vertebrate assemblages from the Villány Hills (Southern Hungary)

Ősi¹,

Botfalvai²,

Prondvai³

et al. 2013

Central European Geology

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Remains of Triassic vertebrates discovered in the Villány Hills (SW Hungary) are described here. After the well-documented Late Cretaceous Iharkút locality, this material represents the second systematically collected assemblage of Mesozoic vertebrates from Hungary. Fossils were collected from both the classical abandoned road-cut at Templom Hill (Templom-hegy) and a newly discovered site at a construction zone located 200 meters west of the road-cut. Macrofossils of the construction site are mainly isolated bones and teeth of nothosaurs from the Templomhegy Dolomite, including a fragmentary mandible referred to as Nothosaurus sp. and placodont teeth tentatively assigned here to cf. Cyamodus sp. Affinities of these fossils suggest a Middle Triassic (Ladinian) age of these shallow marine deposits.New palynological data prove for the first time a Late Triassic (Carnian) age of the lower part of the Mészhegy Sandstone Formation. Vertebrate remains discovered in this formation clearly represent a typical Late Triassic shallow-marine fauna including both chondrichthyan (Lissodus, Palaeobates, Hybodus) and osteichthyan (cf. Saurichthys, ?Sphaerodus sp.) fish fossils. The presence of reworked nothosaur and placodont tooth fragments as well as of possible archosauriform teeth, suggest an increase of terrestrial influence and the erosion of underlying Triassic deposits during the Late Triassic.A belemnite rostrum collected from the lowermost beds of the Somssichhegy Limestone Formation proves that this Lower Jurassic (Pliensbachian) layer was deposited in a marine environment. Most of the vertebrate remains (nothosaurs, placodonts, hybodont shark teeth, perhaps Palaeobates, Lissodus) recovered from these beds are also reworked Triassic elements strongly supporting an erosive, nearshore depositional environment.

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On the origin of high growth rates in archosaurs and their ancient relatives: Complementary histological studies on Triassic archosauriforms and the problem of a “phylogenetic signal” in bone histology

Cited by 152 publications

References 21 publications

Maiasaura, a model organism for extinct vertebrate population biology: a large sample statistical assessment of growth dynamics and survivorship

Maiasaura, a model organism for extinct vertebrate population biology: a large sample statistical assessment of growth dynamics and survivorship

Does morphology reflect osteohistology-based ontogeny? A case study of Late Cretaceous pterosaur jaw symphyses from Hungary reveals hidden taxonomic diversity

First report of Triassic vertebrate assemblages from the Villány Hills (Southern Hungary)

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