The evolution of bone ornamentation in Pseudosuchia: morphological constraints versus ecological adaptation

Although frequent in vertebrates (e.g. crocodylians, stem-tetrapods, turtles), the adaptive significance of bone ornamentation, that is the honeycomb-like pattern of pits and ridges that occur on the surface of dermal bones, remains poorly understood. In order to help assess the evolutionary history and ecological correlates of this character, ornamentation was quantified in 69 extant and extinct Pseudosuchia (taxa more closely related to...