Developmental growth patterns of the filter-feeder pterosaur, Pterodaustro guiñazui.
نویسندگان
چکیده
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 2.5m, 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.
منابع مشابه
Palaeontology Developmental growth patterns of the filter - feeder pterosaur , Pterodaustro guiñazui
Developmental growth patterns of the filter-feeder pterosaur, Pterodaustro guiñazui A. Chinsamy*, L. Codorniú and L. Chiappe Zoology Department, University of Cape Town, Private Bag, Rondebosch 7701, Republic of South Africa Becario CONICET, Departamento de Geologı́a, Universidad Nacional de San Luis, Chacabuco y Pedernera, CP 5700 San Luis, Argentina The Dinosaur Institute, Natural History Muse...
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ورودعنوان ژورنال:
- Biology letters
دوره 4 3 شماره
صفحات -
تاریخ انتشار 2008