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Long bone histology indicates sympatric species of Dimetrodon (Lower Permian, Sphenacodontidae)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 October 2013

Christen D. Shelton ,
P. Martin Sander ,
Koen Stein  and
Herman Winkelhorst
Christen D. Shelton
Affiliation:
Division of Palaeontology, Steinmann Institute, University of Bonn, Nussallee 8, 53115 Bonn, Germany. Email: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]
P. Martin Sander
Affiliation:
Division of Palaeontology, Steinmann Institute, University of Bonn, Nussallee 8, 53115 Bonn, Germany. Email: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]
Koen Stein
Affiliation:
Division of Palaeontology, Steinmann Institute, University of Bonn, Nussallee 8, 53115 Bonn, Germany. Email: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]
Herman Winkelhorst
Affiliation:
Molenstraat 14, 7122ZW Aalten, The Netherlands. Email: [email protected]
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Abstract

The Briar Creek Bonebed (Artinskian, Nocona Formation) in Archer County is one of the richest sources of Dimetrodon bones in the Lower Permian of Texas, USA. Based on size, a small (D. natalis), an intermediate (D. booneorum), and a large species (D. limbatus) have been described from this locality. It has been proposed that these traditionally recognised species represent an ontogenetic series of only one species. However, the ontogenetic series hypothesis is inconsistent with the late ontogenetic state of the small bones, as suggested by their osteology and degree of ossification. Histological analysis of newly excavated material from the Briar Creek Bonebed has resolved some of the discretion between these two competing hypothesis, confirming the coexistence of a small (D. natalis) with at least one larger Dimetrodon species. An external fundamental system is present in the largest sampled long bones identified as D. natalis. The histology of D. natalis postcrania is described as incipient fibro lamellar bone. This tissue is a combination of parallel-fibred and woven-fibred bone that is highly vascularised by incipient primary osteons. The species status of D. booneorum and D. limbatus remain unresolved.

Keywords

ArtinskianNocona FormationPelycosauriaSecodontosaurus
Type
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Information
Earth and Environmental Science Transactions of The Royal Society of Edinburgh , Volume 103 , Issue 3-4: The Full Profession: A Celebration of the Life and Career of Wann Langston, Jr., Quintessential Vertebrate Palaeontologist , September 2012 , pp. 217 - 236
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Copyright © The Royal Society of Edinburgh 2013 

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