“…These vascular networks facilitate thermoregulation in some crocodylians 22 and lizards 25 , and also serve as conduits for mobilized mineral reserves from the integument 23,25,26,30 . Like most other sauropods, titanosaurs like Rapetosaurus rapidly attained skeletal maturity 32 and exhibited comparatively high levels of fecundity 33 , both of which place demands on bone mineral reserves 13,15,22,23,28,29,34,35 . Moreover, Rapetosaurus inhabited a highly seasonal, semi-arid setting that was characterized by periodic, intense droughts that resulted in recurrent mass mortality 19,20 .…”