MicroCT imaging of canid diaphyses: bone ontogeny from a zooarchaeological and digital perspective

X-ray microCT offers the possibility of studying the internal structure of animal remains by detecting age-related changes in bone microstructure. In the present work, we analyse developmental patterns of the diaphyseal structure in canids. In particular, the first metacarpal of current and archaeological individuals of red fox (Vulpes vulpes) and wolf (Canis lupus) was analysed. Variables describing bone structure were measured by inferring bone development through the observation of cross-sections. The results show how bone structure changes over the course of a lifetime and how this approach makes it possible to separate young and older individuals. This is important from a zooarchaeological point of view to estimate the age at death of fragmentary animal remains and to discriminate taxa characterised by similar morphology but different adult body size using a non-destructive approach.