INVESTIGADORES
CODORNIU DOMINGUEZ laura Susana
artículos
Título:
Palaeobiological Implications of the Bone Histology of Pterodaustro guinazui
Autor/es:
ANUSUYA CHINSAMY, L. CODORNIÚ AND L. CHIAPPE
Revista:
ANATOMICAL RECORD
Editorial:
Wiley-Liss, INC.
Referencias:
Año: 2009 vol. 292 p. 1462 - 1477
ISSN:
0003-276X
Resumen:
This study provides a comprehensive investigation of the bone microstructure
of multiple bones of the Early Cretaceous filter-feeder, Pterodaustro
guinazui, from the Largacito Formation of Central Argentina. We
provide information regarding the bone histology of multiple elements
from single skeletons, as well as a variety of bones from different individuals.
In addition, we analysed changes in bone microstructure through
ontogeny in growth series of several long bones of the taxon. Our investigation
of skeletal and ontogenetic variation in Pterodaustro gives insights
into the developmental growth dynamics of this unusual ctenochasmatid
pterodactyloid from early ontogeny through to adulthood and also provides
information pertaining to histological variability within and
between bones of individuals. This study also documents the presence of
what appears to be medullary bone tissue within the medullary cavity of
a large femur of Pterodaustro. This suggests that, like birds, reproductively
active female pterosaurs may have deposited a special bone tissue
(medullary bone) to cope with the demand of calcium during eggshelling.
Our study supports the hypothesis that small Jurassic pterodactyloids
took several years to reach adult body size. More specifically, we provide
data that suggests that Pterodaustro attained sexual maturity at about 2
years of age, and continued to grow for a further 34 years doubling in
size before attaining skeletal maturity.