Skin Anatomy, Bone Histology and Taphonomy of a Toarcian (Lower Jurassic) Ichthyosaur (Reptilia: Ichthyopterygia) from Luxembourg, with Implications for Paleobiology
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Geological Setting
3. Materials and Methods
4. Systematic Paleontology
5. Results
5.1. General Description
5.2. Vertebral Column
5.3. Ribs
5.4. Soft Tissues
6. Discussion
6.1. Integument of TV344
6.2. Ontogenetic Stage
6.3. Implications of Rib Anatomy
6.4. Taphonomy
7. Conclusions
- TV344 represents an incomplete juvenile individual belonging to the clade Neoichthyosauria, and possibly the genus Stenopterygius;
- The fossil comprises a consecutive series of 54 vertebral centra, associated ribs, 20 bone fragments, as well as extensive soft-tissue remains;
- The soft tissues surrounding the vertebral column are largely integumentary in nature. In addition, there is a distinct layering of the skin, where the epidermis, dermis and epidermis–dermis interface are preserved. Furthermore, the epidermis contains melanophores and melanosomes;
- Concentric ring-like structures observed in sectioned ribs of TV344 may represent annual LAGs, to suggest that the animal was at least three years old at the time of death;
- The taphonomic conditions that enabled the exceptional preservation of TV344 included a combination of seafloor dysoxia/anoxia with periodical oxygenation, thus facilitating rapid phosphatization of the soft tissues during oxygenated periods and the formation of the carbonate nodule during dysoxic/anoxic intervals. Microbial activity aided by lowering the pH during the oxygenated phases, which further enhanced phosphate precipitation.
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Data Availability Statement
Acknowledgments
Conflicts of Interest
Appendix A
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Bonnevier Wallstedt, I.; Sjövall, P.; Thuy, B.; De La Garza, R.G.; Eriksson, M.E.; Lindgren, J. Skin Anatomy, Bone Histology and Taphonomy of a Toarcian (Lower Jurassic) Ichthyosaur (Reptilia: Ichthyopterygia) from Luxembourg, with Implications for Paleobiology. Diversity 2024, 16, 492. https://doi.org/10.3390/d16080492
Bonnevier Wallstedt I, Sjövall P, Thuy B, De La Garza RG, Eriksson ME, Lindgren J. Skin Anatomy, Bone Histology and Taphonomy of a Toarcian (Lower Jurassic) Ichthyosaur (Reptilia: Ichthyopterygia) from Luxembourg, with Implications for Paleobiology. Diversity. 2024; 16(8):492. https://doi.org/10.3390/d16080492
Chicago/Turabian StyleBonnevier Wallstedt, Ida, Peter Sjövall, Ben Thuy, Randolph G. De La Garza, Mats E. Eriksson, and Johan Lindgren. 2024. "Skin Anatomy, Bone Histology and Taphonomy of a Toarcian (Lower Jurassic) Ichthyosaur (Reptilia: Ichthyopterygia) from Luxembourg, with Implications for Paleobiology" Diversity 16, no. 8: 492. https://doi.org/10.3390/d16080492