Paleohistology of the bones of pterosaurs (Reptilia: Archosauria): anatomy, ontogeny, and biomechanical implications

DERICQLSS, A; Padian, Kevin; HORNER, J; Francillon‐Vieillot, H.

doi:10.1006/zjls.1999.0239

Cited by 24 publications

(46 citation statements)

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“…In these cases there is only a thin layer of concentric lamellae adjacent to the resorption line, but mostly woven or longitudinally running fibres in the area between the resorption line and the central vascular canal, which thus appears almost entirely isotropic under crossed nicols. This type of secondary osteons has been identified in the Haversian bone of other pterosaurs, too [7]. Secondary osteons are organized around longitudinal as well as oblique, circular and radial vascular canals.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 65%

Life History of Rhamphorhynchus Inferred from Bone Histology and the Diversity of Pterosaurian Growth Strategies

et al. 2012

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Background Rhamphorhynchus from the Solnhofen Limestones is the most prevalent long tailed pterosaur with a debated life history. Whereas morphological studies suggested a slow crocodile-like growth strategy and superprecocial volant hatchlings, the only histological study hitherto conducted on Rhamphorhynchus concluded a relatively high growth rate for the genus. These controversial conclusions can be tested by a bone histological survey of an ontogenetic series of Rhamphorhynchus.Methodology/Principal FindingsOur results suggest that Bennett's second size category does not reflect real ontogenetic stage. Significant body size differences of histologically as well as morphologically adult specimens suggest developmental plasticity. Contrasting the ‘superprecocial hatchling’ hypothesis, the dominance of fibrolamellar bone in early juveniles implies that hatchlings sustained high growth rate, however only up to the attainment of 30–50% and 7–20% of adult wingspan and body mass, respectively. The early fast growth phase was followed by a prolonged, slow-growth phase indicated by parallel-fibred bone deposition and lines of arrested growth in the cortex, a transition which has also been observed in Pterodaustro. An external fundamental system is absent in all investigated specimens, but due to the restricted sample size, neither determinate nor indeterminate growth could be confirmed in Rhamphorhynchus.Conclusions/SignificanceThe initial rapid growth phase early in Rhamphorhynchus ontogeny supports the non-volant nature of its hatchlings, and refutes the widely accepted ‘superprecocial hatchling’ hypothesis. We suggest the onset of powered flight, and not of reproduction as the cause of the transition from the fast growth phase to a prolonged slower growth phase. Rapidly growing early juveniles may have been attended by their parents, or could have been independent precocial, but non-volant arboreal creatures until attaining a certain somatic maturity to get airborne. This study adds to the understanding on the diversity of pterosaurian growth strategies.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 65%

Life History of Rhamphorhynchus Inferred from Bone Histology and the Diversity of Pterosaurian Growth Strategies

et al. 2012

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“…No suture between premaxilla and maxilla can be discerned, nor is there any indication of a dorsal premaxillary crest distinct from the rostrum proper. The thin surface layer of bone, with the exception of some ventral and basal areas of the rostrum, is lost, exposing extensive endosteal struts (trabeculae) throughout the rostrum, as in other large pterosaurs (de Ricqlés et al 2000). The matrix anterior to the broken end of the rostrum preserves an impression of two anteriorly converging structures separated posteriorly by matrix (Fig.…”

Section: Skull and Mandiblementioning

confidence: 96%

Redescription of Dawndraco kanzai Kellner, 2010 and reassignment of the type specimen to Pteranodon sternbergi Harksen, 1966

Martin-Silverstone

2017

Vert. Anat. Morph. Palaeo.

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The previous most comprehensive study on Pteranodon recognized two species of Pteranodon: P. longiceps and P. sternbergi. Complete skeletons of Pteranodon are rare, and one of the best preserved (UALVP 24238) has been identified as both P. sternbergi, and as a new genus and species, Dawndraco kanzai. Here, the specimen is redescribed, the rostral apex is identified for the first time, new details of its provenance and preparation history are presented, and its taxonomic placement is discussed. Whereas the shape of the rostrum appears at first glance to distinguish it from known Pteranodon, this feature is more parsimoniously interpreted in the context of sexual dimorphism; males have a longer and therefore more shallowly tapering rostrum. Metrics from this specimen, and from published photographs and illustrations, support the conclusion that the rostrum of UALVP 24238 is neither unique, nor grounds for recognition of a taxon distinct from Pteranodon sternbergi. Other putatively unique features of UALVP 24238 are examined and found unconvincing.

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“…Although limited by the availability of different ontogenetic stages within single taxa, these studies provide important baseline information about pterosaur osteohistology and led to the deduction that Late Cretaceous pterodactyloids, with wingspans of 3-11 m, such as Montanazhdarcho, Pteranodon and Quetzalcoatlus had 'typical dinosaurian and even typical bird-like bone growth ' (de Ricqlès et al 2000;Padian et al 2004). These researchers further suggested that some smaller basal pterosaurs of the Triassic and Jurassic (with wingspans up to 1.5 m), especially Rhamphorhynchus, appear to have grown more like smaller birds (de Ricqlès et al 2000;Padian et al 2004). The current study represents the first comprehensive assessment of osteohistological changes during ontogeny within a single pterosaur taxon.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…More recent attempts to interpret pterosaur growth and life-history strategies involved the histological analyses of various pterosaurs (de Ricqlès et al 2000;Padian et al 2004). Although limited by the availability of different ontogenetic stages within single taxa, these studies provide important baseline information about pterosaur osteohistology and led to the deduction that Late Cretaceous pterodactyloids, with wingspans of 3-11 m, such as Montanazhdarcho, Pteranodon and Quetzalcoatlus had 'typical dinosaurian and even typical bird-like bone growth ' (de Ricqlès et al 2000;Padian et al 2004).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This pterodactyloid pterosaur is represented by a range of different sized individuals, and therefore appears to be more like the small Jurassic pterodactyloids such as Pterodactylus and Rhamphorhynchus (Bennett 1995), rather than the large pterodactyloids such as Pteranodon and Nyctosaurus, which have only small size differences between adults and juveniles (Bennett 1993a,b;de Ricqlès et al 2000).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Developmental growth patterns of the filter-feeder pterosaur,Pterodaustro guiñazui

2008

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Life-history parameters of pterosaurs such as growth and ontogenetic development represent an enigma. This aspect of pterosaur biology has remained perplexing because few pterosaur taxa are represented by complete ontogenetic series. Of these, Pterodaustro is unique in that besides being represented by hundreds of individuals with wing spans ranging from 0.3 to 2.5 m, it includes an embryo within an egg. Here we present a comprehensive osteohistological assessment of multiple skeletal elements of a range of ontogenetic sizes of Pterodaustro, and we provide unparalleled insight into its growth dynamics. We show that, upon hatching, Pterodaustro juveniles grew rapidly for approximately 2 years until they reached approximately 53% of their mature body size, whereupon they attained sexual maturity. Thereafter, growth continued for at least another 3-4 years at comparatively slower rates until larger adult body sizes were attained. Our analysis further provides definitive evidence that Pterodaustro had a determinate growth strategy.

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Paleohistology of the bones of pterosaurs (Reptilia: Archosauria): anatomy, ontogeny, and biomechanical implications

Cited by 24 publications

References 0 publications

Life History of Rhamphorhynchus Inferred from Bone Histology and the Diversity of Pterosaurian Growth Strategies

Life History of Rhamphorhynchus Inferred from Bone Histology and the Diversity of Pterosaurian Growth Strategies

Redescription of Dawndraco kanzai Kellner, 2010 and reassignment of the type specimen to Pteranodon sternbergi Harksen, 1966

Developmental growth patterns of the filter-feeder pterosaur,Pterodaustro guiñazui

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