The palaeobiology of the non-mammalian cynodonts deduced from bone microstructure and stable isotopes

The biology of six non-mammalian cynodont genera, from basal to more derived forms was examined using bone cross-sectional geometry and histology, as well as isotope analyses. The bone histology of multiple postcrania revealed distinct variations in growth pattern between the genera studied. The bone histology of the basal Procynosuchus indicates that this animal had a slow, cyclical growth strategy and was probably sensitive to enviromental fluctuations. In contrast, the initial growth of more derived Thrinaxodon was rapid and only shows a marked decrease in growth rate with the onset of sexual maturity. The bone histology of the derived Cynognathus indicates rapid, sustained growth, whereas the bones of the contemporary Diademodon reveal a cyclical growth strategy that alternated between rapid growth during the favourable season and slow or arrests of growth during the unfavourable season.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Biological Sciences

Year dc:date.issued

2002

Author dc:creator

• Botha, Jennifer

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Chinsamy-Turan, Anusuya

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/6237

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/6237