Digital reconstruction of the mandible of an adult Lesothosaurus diagnosticus with insight into the tooth replacement process and diet
Fragmentary caudal ends of the left and right mandible assigned to Lesothosaurus diagnosticus, an early ornithischian, was recently discovered in the continental red bed succession of the upper Elliot Formation (Lower Jurassic) at Likhoele Mountain (Mafeteng District) in Lesotho. Using micro-CT scan...
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PeerJ Inc.
2017-03-01
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| Series: | PeerJ |
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| Online Access: | https://peerj.com/articles/3054.pdf |
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| author | Lara Sciscio Fabien Knoll Emese M. Bordy Michiel O. de Kock Ragna Redelstorff |
| author_facet | Lara Sciscio Fabien Knoll Emese M. Bordy Michiel O. de Kock Ragna Redelstorff |
| author_sort | Lara Sciscio |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Fragmentary caudal ends of the left and right mandible assigned to Lesothosaurus diagnosticus, an early ornithischian, was recently discovered in the continental red bed succession of the upper Elliot Formation (Lower Jurassic) at Likhoele Mountain (Mafeteng District) in Lesotho. Using micro-CT scanning, this mandible could be digitally reconstructed in 3D. The replacement teeth within the better preserved (left) dentary were visualised. The computed tomography dataset suggests asynchronous tooth replacement in an individual identified as an adult on the basis of bone histology. Clear evidence for systematic wear facets created by attrition is lacking. The two most heavily worn teeth are only apically truncated. Our observations of this specimen as well as others do not support the high level of dental wear expected from the semi-arid palaeoenvironment in which Lesothosaurus diagnosticus lived. Accordingly, a facultative omnivorous lifestyle, where seasonality determined the availability, quality, and abundance of food is suggested. This would have allowed for adaptability to episodes of increased environmental stress. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T08:00:56Z |
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| issn | 2167-8359 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T08:00:56Z |
| publishDate | 2017-03-01 |
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| spelling | doaj.art-bd131177a63844d7b4cef83e92c1911b2023-12-03T00:47:08ZengPeerJ Inc.PeerJ2167-83592017-03-015e305410.7717/peerj.3054Digital reconstruction of the mandible of an adult Lesothosaurus diagnosticus with insight into the tooth replacement process and dietLara Sciscio0Fabien Knoll1Emese M. Bordy2Michiel O. de Kock3Ragna Redelstorff4Department of Geological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South AfricaFundación Conjunto Paleontológico de Teruel-Dinópolis, Teruel, SpainDepartment of Geological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South AfricaDepartment of Geology, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South AfricaDepartment of Geological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South AfricaFragmentary caudal ends of the left and right mandible assigned to Lesothosaurus diagnosticus, an early ornithischian, was recently discovered in the continental red bed succession of the upper Elliot Formation (Lower Jurassic) at Likhoele Mountain (Mafeteng District) in Lesotho. Using micro-CT scanning, this mandible could be digitally reconstructed in 3D. The replacement teeth within the better preserved (left) dentary were visualised. The computed tomography dataset suggests asynchronous tooth replacement in an individual identified as an adult on the basis of bone histology. Clear evidence for systematic wear facets created by attrition is lacking. The two most heavily worn teeth are only apically truncated. Our observations of this specimen as well as others do not support the high level of dental wear expected from the semi-arid palaeoenvironment in which Lesothosaurus diagnosticus lived. Accordingly, a facultative omnivorous lifestyle, where seasonality determined the availability, quality, and abundance of food is suggested. This would have allowed for adaptability to episodes of increased environmental stress.https://peerj.com/articles/3054.pdfEarly jurassicElliot formationGondwanaSouth AfricaLesothosaurus diagnosticusOrnithischia |
| spellingShingle | Lara Sciscio Fabien Knoll Emese M. Bordy Michiel O. de Kock Ragna Redelstorff Digital reconstruction of the mandible of an adult Lesothosaurus diagnosticus with insight into the tooth replacement process and diet PeerJ Early jurassic Elliot formation Gondwana South Africa Lesothosaurus diagnosticus Ornithischia |
| title | Digital reconstruction of the mandible of an adult Lesothosaurus diagnosticus with insight into the tooth replacement process and diet |
| title_full | Digital reconstruction of the mandible of an adult Lesothosaurus diagnosticus with insight into the tooth replacement process and diet |
| title_fullStr | Digital reconstruction of the mandible of an adult Lesothosaurus diagnosticus with insight into the tooth replacement process and diet |
| title_full_unstemmed | Digital reconstruction of the mandible of an adult Lesothosaurus diagnosticus with insight into the tooth replacement process and diet |
| title_short | Digital reconstruction of the mandible of an adult Lesothosaurus diagnosticus with insight into the tooth replacement process and diet |
| title_sort | digital reconstruction of the mandible of an adult lesothosaurus diagnosticus with insight into the tooth replacement process and diet |
| topic | Early jurassic Elliot formation Gondwana South Africa Lesothosaurus diagnosticus Ornithischia |
| url | https://peerj.com/articles/3054.pdf |
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