Osseous paleopathologies of Bonapartesaurus rionegrensis (Ornithopoda, Hadrosauridae) from Allen Formation (Upper Cretaceous) of Patagonia Argentina

CRUZADO-CABALLERO, P.; LECUONA, A.; CERDA, I.A.; DÍAZ-MARTÍNEZ, I.

CRETACEOUS RESEARCH (PRINT)

ACADEMIC PRESS LTD-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD

Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2021 vol. 124 p. 1 - 11

0195-6671

The paleopathological record provides relevantinformation about paleobiology and paleoecology of fossil organisms. Based onthe information obtained from paleopathologies, it is possible to infer how theseinjuries affected inter- and intraspecific relationships among organisms, and theirinteraction with the environment. For instance, fractures and infections mayaffect their behavior, such as locomotion, strength, and stamina, leading insome cases to death. Here, we describe the injuries recorded in the hadrosauridBonapartesaurus rionegrensis andtheir possible implications in its paleobiology. Three pathologies have been identified,two of them in caudal vertebrae neural spines and the third in the left metatarsalII. The caudal vertebra MPCA-Pv SM2/17 presents a pseudoarthrosis with anadvanced stage of healing and probably related to a trauma made by ahigh-energy impact. The caudal vertebra MPCA-Pv SM2/19 shows an almost fully healedfracture produced by a low-energy impact or stress event. Finally, themetatarsal II has an oblique fracture probably caused by an accident oflow-energy. All the pathological bones indicate the presence of infections dueto an osteomyelitis. This suite of paleopathologies would have generated painand discomfort during its daily activity, in particular, the left pes injury wouldhave affected the locomotion of Bonapartesaurus, and probably display a limping walk.