Ben Creisler
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Highlights
Detailed description of mosasaurid dental microstructure and mineralogy is presented.
Schmelzmuster consists of the columnar enamel with outer layer of parallel crystallites, enamel and orthodentine are separated by shock-absorbing mantle dentine, EMPA reveals unaltered enamel chemistry.
Observed microstructural elements of enamel and dentine, and possibly elevated Fe contents in enamel suggest good ability of the teeth to withstand severe mechanical damage.
Mosasaurid teeth show adaptation to shaking and tearing large and fighting prey.
Abstract
Dental morphology, microstructure and chemistry provide unique insights into various aspects of the evolutionary history and ecology of extinct clades. However, most studies have focused exclusively on the morphological aspects of teeth, while there are significantly fewer detailed accounts of tooth microstructure and mineralogy. Here we provide a full description of the enamel and dentine microstructure of mosasaurid squamates based on an assessment of isolated teeth belonging to two distantly related mosasaurid taxa, i.e., a russellosaurinan and a mosasaurine, from the ?ConiacianâSantonian and Maastrichtian of Belgium. The obtained data are further explored with regard to their value for inferences of mosasaurid predatory behaviour. SEM observations have shown that the Schmelzmuster consists of columnar enamel with an outer layer of parallel crystallites; transmitted light observations have further revealed the presence of mantle dentine cushioning between enamel and orthodentine, and electron microprobe analyses have demonstrated the unaltered enamel chemistry and heterogeneous diagenetic alteration of dentine. Columnar enamel allows minute movements without rupture under bending stress, and together with the presence of shock-absorbing mantle dentine and possibly elevated Fe contents in the enamel, which increase its hardness and enhance acid resistance, it is suggestive of a good ability of the teeth to withstand severe mechanical damage. Such properties of teeth indicate adaptation to shaking and tearing large and resisting prey.
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