Ontogenetic variability in the limb bones histology of plains vizcacha (Lagostomus maximus, Chinchillidae, Rodentia): implications for life history reconstruction of fossil representatives

Osteohistological studies provide information on the life history of extant and extinct vertebrates, such as growth dynamics, age, body size, sexual maturity, sexual dimorphism, soft tissues, among others aspects. In this work, we evaluate the histological changes occurred during the ontogeny of ext...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Historical biology 2021-04, Vol.33 (4), p.558-573
Main Authors: Garrone, Mariana C., Cerda, Ignacio A., Tomassini, Rodrigo L.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biomedical materials
Body size
Bone growth
Bones
chinchillids
Ecological effects
Fossils
fossorial habits
Histology
Lagostomus maximus
Life history
Mammal bone histology
Neonates
ontogenetic changes
Ontogeny
Rodents
Sexual dimorphism
Sexual maturity
Soft tissues
Vertebrates
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Summary:Osteohistological studies provide information on the life history of extant and extinct vertebrates, such as growth dynamics, age, body size, sexual maturity, sexual dimorphism, soft tissues, among others aspects. In this work, we evaluate the histological changes occurred during the ontogeny of extant representatives of plains vizcacha, Lagostomus maximus, through the analysis of limb bones in order to evaluate biological and ecological features of their life history. The results obtained are used as framework for the recognition of ontogenetic stages in isolated fossil limb bones of this species. The osteohistology clearly vary according to the ontogenetic stage of the individuals. It is described, for the first time, the presence of a neonatal line in rodents. We could identify different microstructural features that favor the correlation among extant and fossil representatives of L. maximus. It is considered that the mid-shaft of the humeri, femora and tibiae does not represent the most propitious sector to make the thin sections, since the modeling process there has erased part of the bone growth history of the individuals. This study contributes to the general knowledge of the bone histology of rodents.
ISSN:0891-2963
1029-2381
DOI:10.1080/08912963.2019.1648450