Article: Abnormal histology in an Iguanodon caudal centrum from the Lower Cretaceous of the Isle of Wight
Publication: Palaeontology
Volume:
38
Part:
4
Publication Date:
November
1995
Page(s):
905
–
914
Author(s):
Jane B. Clarke and Michael J. Barker
Abstract
The abnormal histology of a ?pathological Iguanodon (Dinosauria; Ornithischia) caudal vertebra centrum is described and comparisons made with normal iguanodontid histology. The abnormal bone exhibits rapidly generated radial growth patterns; in the cancellous zone, areas of primary bone predominate and ther is a distinctive contorted vascularity throughout. The similarities of the observed deformations to known mammalian pathologies such as local trauma, Paget's disease, haemangioma and vitamin deficiency are discussed. Further systematic surveys to ascertain details of dinosaur bone histology and variation are required.