Epidermal scale growth, allometry and function in non-avian dinosaurs and extant reptiles.

ABSTRACT: Epidermal scales in sauropsids perform a wide array of biological functions, which can relate to their shape and size. Accordingly, growth-related changes in scale morphology may reflect distinct functions between juvenile and adult individuals, such as use in mating interactions. Such patterns are poorly explored in both extant reptiles and non-avian dinosaurs, limiting functional interpretations. Here, we investigate scale growth in the ornithischian ceratopsid Chasmosaurus belli and hadrosaurid Prosaurolophus maximus by comparing scale morphologies between juveniles and adults of each taxon. Scale shape is generally consistent across growth stages in both taxa, and changes in C. belli feature scale length cannot reject isometry. However, there is a greater increase in C. belli feature s

SUBMITTER: Enriquez NJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12265030 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature