Bone Histology of Fossil Tetrapods: Advancing Methods, Analysis, and InterpretationKevin Padian, Ellen-Thérèse Lamm The microscopic examination of fossilized bone tissue is a sophisticated and increasingly important analytical tool for understanding the life history of ancient organisms. This book provides an essential primer and manual for using fossil bone histology to investigate the biology of extinct tetrapods. Twelve experts summarize advances in the field over the past three decades, reviewing fundamental basics of bone microanatomy and physiology. Research specimen selection, thin-section preparation, and data analysis are addressed in detail. The authors also outline methods and issues in bone growth rate calculation and chronological age determination, as well as how to examine broader questions of behavior, ecology, and evolution by studying the microstructure of bone. |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
Allosaurus analysis animals archosaurs Biology birds blade bone growth bone histology bone matrix bone microstructure bone tissue Buehler Ltd Castanet Chinsamy cortex cortical curators Cyanoacrylate database deposition dinosaurs Dryosaurus embedding environmental Epoxy Erickson estimated extant extinct femur fibrolamellar Figure fossil glue grinding grit growth curves growth marks hadrosaurid histological Horner JR Hypacrosaurus individual Journal of Vertebrate LAGs lamellar Lamm limb bones linear long bones Maiasaura mammals Margerie mass materials measurements MEKP methods microscope mineralized molding and casting mounting Museum ontogenetic ontogeny orientation osteoblasts osteocytes osteons Padian paleohistology Paleontology periosteal petrographic phylogenetic plastic polishing primary osteons procedures PSCA pterosaurs remodeling reproductive maturity resin retrocalculation Ricqlès sample sauropod secondary osteons skeletal skeletochronology specific specimen stage surface taxa taxon techniques Tenontosaurus tetrapods theropod thickness thin sections thin-section slides tion Triceratops types Tyrannosaurus vascular canals vertebrates wafer