Decompression syndrome in plesiosaurs (Sauropterygia : Reptilia)
Title
Decompression syndrome in plesiosaurs (Sauropterygia : Reptilia)
Creator
Rothschild B M; Storrs G W
Publisher
Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology
Date
2003
2003-06
Description
Recognition of avascular necrosis through propodial head subsidence in fossils indicates that plesiosaurs were susceptible to decompression syndrome and implies deep, prolonged or repetitive diving behavior for these animals. Contrary to the situation in mosasaurs, plesiosaur vertebrae were not targets of avascular necrosis. This suggests that the anastomosing internal vascularization of plesiosaur vertebral centra was functionally adaptive. No phyletic trend is evident in the susceptibility of plesiosaurs to the pathology, although stem group sauropterygians were almost never affected (not surprising for near-shore, shallow water animals). Cryptoclididae were the only plesiosaur family not regularly afflicted with decompression syndrome. The difference between this and other groups is most likely to have been behavioral and/or ecological.
Subject
adaptations; avascular necrosis; diapsida; features; Paleontology; simulated dives; turtles
Format
Journal Article
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Rights
Article information provided for research and reference use only. All rights are retained by the journal listed under publisher and/or the creator(s).
Pages
324-328
Issue
2
Volume
23
Citation
Rothschild B M; Storrs G W, “Decompression syndrome in plesiosaurs (Sauropterygia : Reptilia),” NEOMED Bibliography Database, accessed March 19, 2024, https://neomed.omeka.net/items/show/6922.