Quantification of intraskeletal histovariability in Alligator mississippiensis and implications for vertebrate osteohistology.

ABSTRACT: Bone microanalyses of extant vertebrates provide a necessary framework from which to form hypotheses regarding the growth and skeletochronology of extinct taxa. Here, we describe the bone microstructure and quantify the histovariability of appendicular elements and osteoderms from three juvenile American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) to assess growth mark and tissue organization within and amongst individuals, with the intention of validating paleohistological interpretations. Results confirm previous observations that lamellar and parallel fibered tissue organization are typical of crocodylians, and also that crocodylians are capable of forming woven tissue for brief periods. Tissue organization and growth mark count varies across individual skeletal elements and reveal that the

SUBMITTER: Woodward HN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4060058 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature