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The non-mammalian therapsids dominated the terrestrial ecosystems during the Late Paleozoic-Early Mesozoic. The cynodonts have been studied from a taxonomic, osteologic and morphological perspective. However, taphonomy using chemometrics has been barely explored. This report includes a rib and an appendicular bone of cynodonts from the Puesto Viejo Group (Mendoza, Argentina). These fossils are studied for the first time using SEM-EDX. Semi-quantitative data derived from SEM-EDX spectra is evaluated by principal component analysis to gain new insights regarding the different diagenetic pathways of bone microstructure. The multivariate model supports the distinction of different sampled areas (bone, transition zone and rock matrix), in terms of chemical parameters. Differentiation is based mainly on varying contents of Ca, P, F, Si, Al, K, O, Mn and Fe. Variable concentrations of Fe and Mn could be related to different facies (floodplain and crevasse splay). These results along with thin section petrographical analysis confirm -in one of the cases-the substitution of hydroxyapatite by fluorapatite in the bone microstructure. Fossil-diagenetic processes observed herein include substitution, fracturing, brittle deformation and different permineralization events. Permineralization stages during burial history include infilling of vascular canals, trabeculae and fractures with hematite, manganite and calcite. The presence of calcite and iron enrichment indicates local reducing conditions below water-table during precipitation. This chemometric approach to the study of Triassic cynodont remains proved useful for assessing the chemical changes in bone microstructure.

The Puesto Viejo Group crops out in the San Rafael Block, southwest Mendoza, Argentina. This group is an important unit for the knowledge theTriassic faunas. It is composed of basal Quebrada de los Fósiles Formation (QF) overlying by the Río Seco de la Quebrada Formation (RSQ). In this study, we report tetrapod remains from the RSQ Formation that includes, until now, exclusively therapsids. Non-mammalian therapsids predominated in terrestrial ecosystems during the Late Paleozoic and Early Mesozoic. Although cynodonts and dicynodonts have been studied from several perspectives, the relation between taxa and sedimentary context has been scarcely documented. This study is aimed to elucidate the diagenesis of tetrapods from the Puesto Viejo Group and its relation to depositional environment. Diagenetic features of therapsid bones from the RSQ Formation were analyzed through thin sections to interpret the degree of taphonomic alteration. Diagenetic processes inferred include substitution; fracturing; brittle deformation and different permineralization events. Combined analyses through scanning electron microscopy; energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (SEM-EDX); X-ray diffractometry (XRD) and petrographic studies reveals the substitution of hydroxyapatite by francolite. The presence of fluorine in some samples suggests a link between the elemental composition and depositional environments: floodplain and crevasse splay. Permineralization stages include infilling of vascular canals, trabeculae and fractures with iron oxides and iron carbonate minerals during the burial history. This contribution represents a relevant approach to elucidate the relation between diagenesis on tetrapods and their paleoenvironments, as exemplified in this case study from the Puesto Viejo Group during the Upper Triassic.

Proterochampsians are a South American endemic group of non-archosaurian archosauriforms with morphological characteristics recollecting Recent crocodilians, and therefore have been proposed as aquatic species. However, this has not been based on careful examination of anatomical and histological features. We provide a review of the morphological and histological evidence present in the skeleton of proterochampsids and discuss its implications for inferring the lifestyles of these organisms. Anatomical features such as a secondary palate, marginal dentition, palatine teeth, morphology of the tail, limb modification, and dermal armor are reviewed, and details of histological structures are described based on bone thin sections. Histological examination reveals a predominance of fibrolamellar bone tissue, suggesting rapid periosteal osteogenesis and therefore overall fast bone growth. The existence of discontinuities (LAGs) demonstrates that these animals responded to changes in their environment. Ecomorphological features do not provide definitive evidence for the lifestyles of proterochampsids, but allow us to propose a terrestrial/amphibious condition. The same is true of the histological features, particularly compactness of the bone.

ABSTRACT. The Neuquén Basin in northwestern Patagonia, Argentina, holds the most important record of Cretaceous dinosaurs in South America.The Neuquén Group (Upper Cretaceous) is the richest dinosaur-bearing unit of the basin. It comprises the Río Limay, the Río Neuquén and the Río Colorado subgroups. In this study, dinosaur remains from the Río Neuquén and the Río Colorado subgroups outcropping in Mendoza are examined. In this group, isolated, disarticulated or partially articulated sauropods and theropods are abundant. However, little is known about the diagenetic history of fossil assemblages. In southern Mendoza, three fossiliferous sites were found in the areas of Paso de las Bardas (Quebrada Norte) and Cerro Guillermo (CG1, CG2). This study aims to add to the knowledge of diagenetic processes involving dinosaur remains from the Neuquén Group, as well as their relation to the depositional environment. Histologic features and diagenetic processes of dinosaur bones were analyzed through thin sections in order to interpret the degree of taphonomic alteration. The fossil-diagenetic processes inferred include substitution, fracturing, plastic deformation and different permineralization events. Combined analyses through X-ray diffractometry (XRD) and petrographic studies reveal the substitution of hydroxyapatite by francolite. The presence of fluorine -in one of the cases-suggests a link between the elemental composition and depositional environments: floodplain and fluvial channel. Permineralization stages include infilling of vascular canals, trabeculae and fractures with iron oxides and iron carbonate minerals during the burial history. This contribution represents an integral approach to the study of Cretaceous dinosaurs for assessing the diagenetic changes in the bone microstructure and the differential preservation of fossil remains in fluvial environments.

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The non-mammalian therapsids dominated the terrestrial ecosystems during the Late Paleozoic-Early Mesozoic. The cynodonts have been studied from a taxonomic, osteologic and morphological perspective. However, taphonomy using chemometrics has been barely explored. This report includes a rib and an appendicular bone of cynodonts from the Puesto Viejo Group (Mendoza, Argentina). These fossils are studied for the first time using SEM-EDX. Semi-quantitative data derived from SEM-EDX spectra is evaluated by principal component analysis to gain new insights regarding the different diagenetic pathways of bone microstructure. The multivariate model supports the distinction of different sampled areas (bone, transition zone and rock matrix), in terms of chemical parameters. Differentiation is based mainly on varying contents of Ca, P, F, Si, Al, K, O, Mn and Fe. Variable concentrations of Fe and Mn could be related to different facies (floodplain and crevasse splay). These results along with thin section petrographical analysis confirm -in one of the cases-the substitution of hydroxyapatite by fluorapatite in the bone microstructure. Fossil-diagenetic processes observed herein include substitution, fracturing, brittle deformation and different permineralization events. Permineralization stages during burial history include infilling of vascular canals, trabeculae and fractures with hematite, manganite and calcite. The presence of calcite and iron enrichment indicates local reducing conditions below water-table during precipitation. This chemometric approach to the study of Triassic cynodont remains proved useful for assessing the chemical changes in bone microstructure.