The hierarchical structure of sauropodomorph bones as a key to exceptional body size: Insights from materials science
Final Report Abstract
This project leads to very interesting findings about fossil bone, as a composite material that still need to be understand. Microstructure, in particular vascularization is more complex in the sauropods than in mammal bone. The remodeling appears much later in Apatosaurus compare to recent bones. It will be interesting to understand this phenomenon: this trend in remodeling and secondary bone formation is not yet understood trend and mostly probably linked to fatigue and damage in the bone. However, secondary bone is also recognized to be less strong than primary bone. Texture determined shows that the crystals are aligned in the direction of the bone. Their 001 texture is basically the more efficient pattern to resist to loads. Unsurprisingly the bones during animal growth tend to keep this trend. Even after remodeling, where the collagen fibers and crystals associated show a more oriented organization, this fiber texture is maintained. The nanostructure information obtained reveals that the diagenesis (fossilization processes) can affect the original bone chemistry and structure. The crystal size and organization can give information on mechanical properties of the bone. In sauropod bones the length of the crystals tends to increase during animal. The crystal aspect ratio of sauropod bones is much higher than recent bones. The investigation of bone organization and other factors is still in progress. It is expected to reveal more knowledge about the differences between primary bone and secondary bone and regarding the biomechanical issue of remodeling of sauropod bone.
Publications
- (2008) Synchrotron XRF Analyses of Element Distribution in Fossilized Sauropod Dinosaur Bones. Powder Diffration Journal 24(2), pp 130-134
Dumont M., Zoeger, N., Streli, C., Wobrauschek, P., Falkenberg, G., Sander, P.M., Pyzalla, A.R.
