Elsa Panciroli, G. Funston, F. Holwerda, S. Maidment, D. Foffa, N. Larkin, T. Challands, Paige E. dePolo, D. Goldberg, M. Humpage, D. Ross, M. Wilkinson, S. Brusatte
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
ABSTRACT Dinosaur body fossil material is rare in Scotland, previously known almost exclusively from the Great Estuarine Group on the Isle of Skye. We report the first unequivocal dinosaur fossil from the Isle of Eigg, belonging to a Bathonian (Middle Jurassic) taxon of uncertain affinity. The limb bone NMS G.2020.10.1 is incomplete, but through a combination of anatomical comparison and osteohistology, we determine it most likely represents a stegosaur fibula. The overall proportions and cross-sectional geometry are similar to the fibulae of thyreophorans. Examination of the bone microstructure reveals a high degree of remodelling and randomly distributed longitudinal canals in the remaining primary cortical bone. This contrasts with the histological signal expected of theropod or sauropod limb bones, but is consistent with previous studies of thyreophorans, specifically stegosaurs. Previous dinosaur material from Skye and broadly contemporaneous sites in England belongs to this group, including Loricatosaurus and Sarcolestes and a number of indeterminate stegosaur specimens. Theropods such as Megalosaurus and sauropods such as Cetiosaurus are also known from these localities. Although we find strong evidence for a stegosaur affinity, diagnostic features are not observed on NMS G.2020.10.1, preventing us from referring it to any known genera. The presence of this large-bodied stegosaur on Eigg adds a significant new datapoint for dinosaur distribution in the Middle Jurassic of Scotland.
期刊介绍:
Earth and Environmental Science Transactions (formerly Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh: Earth Sciences) is a general earth sciences journal publishing a comprehensive selection of substantial peer-reviewed research papers, reviews and short communications of international standard across the broad spectrum of the Earth and its surface environments. The journal prides itself on the quality of its graphics and photographic reproduction. The Editors are keen to encourage interdisciplinary papers and Transactions also publishes occasional special symposia and invited volumes of specific interest.
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