@article{anne_canoville_edwards_schweitzer_zanno_2023, title={Independent Evidence for the Preservation of Endogenous Bone Biochemistry in a Specimen of Tyrannosaurus rex}, volume={12}, ISSN={["2079-7737"]}, DOI={10.3390/biology12020264}, abstractNote={Biomolecules preserved in deep time have potential to shed light on major evolutionary questions, driving the search for new and more rigorous methods to detect them. Despite the increasing body of evidence from a wide variety of new, high resolution/high sensitivity analytical techniques, this research is commonly met with skepticism, as the long standing dogma persists that such preservation in very deep time (>1 Ma) is unlikely. The Late Cretaceous dinosaur Tyrannosaurus rex (MOR 1125) has been shown, through multiple biochemical studies, to preserve original bone chemistry. Here, we provide additional, independent support that deep time bimolecular preservation is possible. We use synchrotron X-ray fluorescence imaging (XRF) and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) to investigate a section from the femur of this dinosaur, and demonstrate preservation of elements (S, Ca, and Zn) associated with bone remodeling and redeposition. We then compare these data to the bone of an extant dinosaur (bird), as well as a second non-avian dinosaur, Tenontosaurus tilletti (OMNH 34784) that did not preserve any sign of original biochemistry. Our data indicate that MOR 1125 bone cortices have similar bone elemental distributions to that of an extant bird, which supports preservation of original endogenous chemistry in this specimen.}, number={2}, journal={BIOLOGY-BASEL}, author={Anne, Jennifer and Canoville, Aurore and Edwards, Nicholas P. and Schweitzer, Mary H. and Zanno, Lindsay E.}, year={2023}, month={Feb} }
 @article{chinzorig_beguesse_canoville_phillips_zanno_2022, title={Chronic fracture and osteomyelitis in a large-bodied ornithomimosaur with implications for the identification of unusual endosteal bone in the fossil record}, volume={10}, ISSN={["1932-8494"]}, url={https://doi.org/10.1002/ar.25069}, DOI={10.1002/ar.25069}, abstractNote={AbstractPaleopathological diagnoses provide key information on the macroevolutionary origin of disease as well as behavioral and physiological inferences that are inaccessible via direct observation of extinct organisms. Here we describe the external gross morphology and internal architecture of a pathologic right second metatarsal (MMNS VP‐6332) of a large‐bodied ornithomimid (~432 kg) from the Santonian (Upper Cretaceous) Eutaw Formation in Mississippi, using a combination of X‐ray computed microtomography (microCT) and petrographic histological analyses. X‐ray microCT imaging and histopathologic features are consistent with multiple complete, oblique to comminuted, minimally displaced mid‐diaphyseal cortical fractures that produce a “butterfly” fragment fracture pattern, and secondary osteomyelitis with a bone fistula formation. We interpret this as evidence of blunt force trauma to the foot that could have resulted from intra‐ or interspecific competition or predator–prey interaction, and probably impaired the function of the metatarsal as a weight‐bearing element until the animal's death. Of particular interest is the apparent decoupling of endosteal and periosteal pathological bone deposition in MMNS VP‐6332, which produces transverse sections exhibiting homogenously thick endosteal pathological bone in the absence of localized periosteal reactive bone. These distribution and depositional patterns are used as criteria for ruling out a pathological origin in favor of a reproductive one for unusual endosteal bone in fossil specimens. On the basis of MMNS VP‐6332, we suggest caution in their use to substantiate a medullary bone identification in extinct archosaurians.}, journal={ANATOMICAL RECORD-ADVANCES IN INTEGRATIVE ANATOMY AND EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY}, author={Chinzorig, Tsogtbaatar and Beguesse, Kyla A. and Canoville, Aurore and Phillips, George and Zanno, Lindsay E.}, year={2022}, month={Oct} }
 @article{wiersma-weyand_canoville_siber_sander_2021, title={Testing hypothesis of skeletal unity using bone histology: The case of the sauropod remains from the Howe-Stephens and Howe Scott quarries (Morrison Formation, Wyoming, USA)}, volume={24}, ISSN={["1094-8074"]}, DOI={10.26879/766}, abstractNote={Specimens of sauropod dinosaurs from the Upper Jurassic Morrison Formation of the Western Interior of the USA are mostly found as partial and partially articulated skeletons or as isolated bones, as seen in, e.g., the Dinosaur National Monument quarry. This mode of preservation sometimes makes an assignment of specific bones to individuals difficult, especially if other partial skeletons or scattered bones of the same taxon are found nearby. In this study, a detailed assessment of skeletal unity is provided by means of paleohistology for several sauropod partial skeletons and isolated long bones from the Howe-Stephens and the Howe Scott quarries, Wyoming, USA. Using histological characters such as histological ontogenetic stages, cyclicity of growth marks, and remodeling rate, an assignment of bones to individuals was made and compared with previous hypotheses of skeletal unity that were based on field observations only. Our study indicates, based on these characters, it is possible to assign isolated bones to an existing individual, recognize isolated bones as belonging to a new individual, and test whether a specific bone belongs to the assigned individual. The histological evidence should be combined with other sources of data such as morphology and taphonomy to reassess previous hypotheses of skeletal unit. The method presented in this study can be used not only for Morrison Formation sauropods, but to test skeletal unity for other fossil tetrapod taxa as well. Kayleigh Wiersma-Weyand. Abteilung Paläontologie, Institut für Geowissenschaften, Universität Bonn, Nussallee 8, 53115 Bonn, Germany. kayleigh.wiersma@uni-bonn.de Aurore Canoville. Paleontology, North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences / Department of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, 11 W Jones Street, 27601 Raleigh, North Carolina, USA, and Abteilung Paläontologie, Institut für Geowissenschaften, Universität Bonn, Nussallee 8, 53115 Bonn, Germany. canoville.aurore08@gmail.com Hans-Jakob Siber. Sauriermuseum Aathal, Zürichstrasse 69, 8607 Aathal, Switzerland. aathal@sibersiber.ch P. Martin Sander. Abteilung Paläontologie, Institut für Geowissenschaften, Universität Bonn, Nussallee 8, 53115 Bonn, Germany. martin.sander@uni-bonn.de WIERSMA-WEYAND ET AL.: BONE HISTOLOGY SAUROPODS 2}, number={1}, journal={PALAEONTOLOGIA ELECTRONICA}, author={Wiersma-Weyand, Kayleigh and Canoville, Aurore and Siber, Hans-Jakob and Sander, P. Martin}, year={2021} }
 @article{chinsamy_angst_canoville_gohlich_2020, title={Bone histology yields insights into the biology of the extinct elephant birds (Aepyornithidae) from Madagascar}, volume={130}, ISSN={["1095-8312"]}, DOI={10.1093/biolinnean/blaa013}, abstractNote={AbstractGiven that the biology of the recently extinct aepyornithids is poorly understood, we undertook a histological study of 29 skeletal elements of adult and juvenile specimens of Aepyornithidae, i.e. Aepyornis maximus, Aepyornis hildebrandti and Vorombe titan, in addition to a group of taxonomically unidentifiable juvenile Aepyornithiformes. Comparative analysis of the histology of the different skeletal elements showed that although the femur retained a good record of growth during early ontogeny, the tibiotarsus provided the best record of growth. Our data showed that, like other insular birds and their extant relative, the kiwi, Aepyornithidae experienced protracted growth. We also found that intracortical remodelling began early in ontogeny and continued throughout their lives, becoming more extensive throughout the compacta with age, albeit more restricted to the perimedullary region in the femora. We also deduced that the different skeletal elements experienced variable amounts of intracortical remodelling, which was most likely to be related to biomechanical constraints, size of the element and ontogenetic age. Additionally, we documented the occurrence of an unusual endosteal tissue within the large perimedullary erosional spaces of a femur of A. maximus. Overall, our study provided a lot of new information about the life history of these giant, recently extinct ratites.}, number={2}, journal={BIOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY}, author={Chinsamy, Anusuya and Angst, Delphine and Canoville, Aurore and Gohlich, Ursula B.}, year={2020}, month={Jun}, pages={268–295} }
 @article{canoville_schweitzer_zanno_2020, title={Identifying medullary bone in extinct avemetatarsalians: challenges, implications and perspectives}, volume={375}, ISSN={["1471-2970"]}, DOI={10.1098/rstb.2019.0133}, abstractNote={Medullary bone (MB) is a sex-specific tissue produced by female birds during the laying cycle, and it is hypothesized to have arisen within Avemetatarsalia, possibly outside Avialae. Over the years, researchers have attempted to define a set of criteria from which to evaluate the nature of purported MB-like tissues recovered from fossil specimens. However, we argue that the prevalence, microstructural and chemical variability of MB in Neornithes is, as of yet, incompletely known and thus current diagnoses of MB do not capture the extent of variability that exists in modern birds. Based on recently published data and our own observations of MB distribution and structure using computed tomography and histochemistry, we attempt to advance the discourse on identifying MB in fossil specimens. We propose: (i) new insights into the phylogenetic breadth and structural diversity of MB within extant birds; (ii) a reevaluation and refinement of the most recently published list of criteria suggested for confidently identifying MB in the fossil record; (iii) reconsideration of some prior identifications of MB-like tissues in fossil specimens by taking into account the newly acquired data; and (iv) discussions on the challenges of characterizing MB in Neornithes with the goal of improving its diagnosis in extinct avemetatarsalians.This article is part of the theme issue ‘Vertebrate palaeophysiology’.}, number={1793}, journal={PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES}, author={Canoville, Aurore and Schweitzer, Mary H. and Zanno, Lindsay}, year={2020}, month={Mar} }
 @article{zanno_tucker_canoville_avrahami_gates_makovicky_2019, title={Diminutive fleet-footed tyrannosauroid narrows the 70-million-year gap in the North American fossil record}, volume={2}, ISSN={["2399-3642"]}, url={https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-019-0308-7}, DOI={10.1038/s42003-019-0308-7}, abstractNote={AbstractTo date, eco-evolutionary dynamics in the ascent of tyrannosauroids to top predator roles have been obscured by a 70-million-year gap in the North American (NA) record. Here we report discovery of the oldest Cretaceous NA tyrannosauroid, extending the lineage by ~15 million years. The new taxon—Moros intrepidus gen. et sp. nov.—is represented by a hind limb from an individual nearing skeletal maturity at 6–7 years. With a ~1.2-m limb length and 78-kg mass, M. intrepidus ranks among the smallest Cretaceous tyrannosauroids, restricting the window for rapid mass increases preceding the appearance of colossal eutyrannosaurs. Phylogenetic affinity with Asian taxa supports transcontinental interchange as the means by which iconic biotas of the terminal Cretaceous were established in NA. The unexpectedly diminutive and highly cursorial bauplan of NA’s earliest Cretaceous tyrannosauroids reveals an evolutionary strategy reliant on speed and small size during their prolonged stint as marginal predators.}, number={1}, journal={COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY}, publisher={Springer Nature}, author={Zanno, Lindsay E. and Tucker, Ryan T. and Canoville, Aurore and Avrahami, Haviv M. and Gates, Terry A. and Makovicky, Peter J.}, year={2019}, month={Feb} }
 @article{klein_canoville_houssaye_2019, title={Microstructure of Vertebrae, Ribs, and Gastralia of Triassic Sauropterygians-New Insights into the Microanatomical Processes Involved in Aquatic Adaptations of Marine Reptiles}, volume={302}, ISSN={["1932-8494"]}, DOI={10.1002/ar.24140}, abstractNote={ABSTRACTIsolated ribs and vertebrae of Middle Triassic sauropterygians are studied. The vertebrae have a well‐defined large cavity in their centra, which is a unique feature and is without any modern analogue. The articular facets of vertebrae are made of endochondral bone including calcified as well as uncalcified cartilage. Vertebrae are pachyosteosclerotic in the pachypleurosaurs Neusticosaurus and Serpianosaurus from the Alpine Triassic, and osteosclerotic in the placodont, in the medium‐sized Nothosaurus marchicus, and in the pachypleurosaur Anarosaurus. In large Nothosaurus specimens, the vertebrae are cavernous. The ribs of all sampled specimens are osteosclerotic, which resembles the microanatomy of long bones in all studied taxa. The proximal to medial part of ribs mainly consists of a compact periosteal cortex surrounding an inner endosteal territory. Toward the distal end of the ribs, the periosteal thickness decreases whereas the endosteal territory increases. Despite a shift from periosteal versus endosteal tissues, global rib compactness remains relatively constant. Osteosclerosis in ribs and vertebrae is reached by the same processes as in the long bones: by a relative increase in cortex thickness that is coupled by a reduction of the medullary cavity, by the persistence of calcified cartilage, and by an inhibition of remodeling although some resorption may occur but without complete redeposition of bone. Processes differ from those observed in Permian marine reptiles and some mosasaurines, where either extensive remodeling or inhibition of bone resorption leads to osteosclerosis. Besides differences regarding the microanatomy, all studied bones of a taxon are consistent in their bone tissue type. Anat Rec, 302:1770–1791, 2019. © 2019 American Association for Anatomy}, number={10}, journal={ANATOMICAL RECORD-ADVANCES IN INTEGRATIVE ANATOMY AND EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY}, author={Klein, Nicole and Canoville, Aurore and Houssaye, Alexandra}, year={2019}, month={Oct}, pages={1770–1791} }
 @article{canoville_schweitzer_zanno_2019, title={Systemic distribution of medullary bone in the avian skeleton: ground truthing criteria for the identification of reproductive tissues in extinct Avemetatarsalia}, volume={19}, ISSN={1471-2148}, url={http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12862-019-1402-7}, DOI={10.1186/s12862-019-1402-7}, abstractNote={Medullary bone (MB) is an estrogen-dependent, sex-specific tissue produced by female birds during lay and inferred to be present in extinct avemetatarsalians (bird-line archosaurs). Although preliminary studies suggest that MB can be deposited within most skeletal elements, these are restricted to commercial layers or hormonally treated male pigeons, which are poor analogues for wild birds. By contrast, studies in wild bird species noted the presence of MB almost exclusively within limb bones, spurring the misconception that MB deposition is largely restricted to these regions. These disparate claims have cast doubt on the nature of MB-like tissues observed in some extinct avemetatarsalians because of their "unusual" anatomical locations. Furthermore, previous work reported that MB deposition is related to blood supply and pneumatization patterns, yet these hypotheses have not been tested widely in birds. To document the skeletal distribution of MB across Neornithes, reassess previous hypotheses pertaining to its deposition/distribution patterns, and refine the set of criteria by which to evaluate the nature of purported MB tissue in extinct avemetatarsalians, we CT-scanned skeletons of 40 female birds (38 species) that died during the egg-laying cycle, recorded presence or absence of MB in 19 skeletal regions, and assessed pneumatization of stylopods. Selected elements were destructively analyzed to ascertain the chemical and histological nature of observed endosteal bone tissues in contentious skeletal regions. Although its skeletal distribution varies interspecifically, we find MB to be a systemic tissue that can be deposited within virtually all skeletal regions, including cranial elements. We also provide evidence that the deposition of MB is dictated by skeletal distribution patterns of both pneumaticity and bone marrow; two factors linked to ecology (body size, foraging). Hence, skeletal distribution of MB can be extensive in small-bodied and diving birds, but more restricted in large-bodied species or efficient flyers. Previously outlined anatomical locations of purported MB in extinct taxa are invalid criticisms against their potential reproductive nature. Moreover, the proposed homology of lung tissues between birds and some extinct avemetatarsalians permit us to derive a series of location-based predictions that can be used to critically evaluate MB-like tissues in fossil specimens.}, number={1}, journal={BMC Evolutionary Biology}, publisher={Springer Nature}, author={Canoville, Aurore and Schweitzer, Mary H. and Zanno, Lindsay E.}, year={2019}, month={Mar} }
 @article{amiot_angst_legendre_buffetaut_fourel_adolfssen_andre_bojar_canoville_barral_et al._2017, title={Oxygen isotope fractionation between bird bone phosphate and drinking water}, volume={104}, number={5-6}, journal={Naturwissenschaften (Berlin, Germany)}, author={Amiot, R. and Angst, D. and Legendre, S. and Buffetaut, E. and Fourel, F. and Adolfssen, J. and Andre, A. and Bojar, A. V. and Canoville, A. and Barral, A. and et al.}, year={2017} }