Growth patterns of fossil vertebrates as deduced from bone microstructure: case studies from India |
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Authors: | S Ray D Mukherjee S Bandyopadhyay |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Geology and Geophysics, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, 721302, India;(2) Geological Studies Unit, Indian Statistical Institute, 700108 Kolkata, India |
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Abstract: | Bone microstructure is affected by ontogeny, phylogeny, biomechanics and environments. These aspects of life history of an
extinct animal, especially its growth patterns, may be assessed as fossil bone generally maintains its histological integrity.
Recent studies on the bone histology of fossil vertebrates from India encompass different types of temnospondyls and dicynodonts
from different Permian and Triassic horizons. The examined taxa show that they had distinct bone histology and varied growth
patterns. The Early Triassic trematosaurids had an overall fast growth, which contrasts with that of the Middle and Late Triassic
temnospondyl taxa examined. The dicynodonts on the other hand, were characterized by an overall fast growth with periodic
interruptions, variable growth rates dependent on ontogeny and indeterminate growth strategy. A comparative study encompassing
several neotherapsid genera including the dicynodonts shows significant evolutionary trends towards determinate growth strategy
and reduced developmental plasticity. |
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