Long bone histology and microanatomy of Placodontia (Diapsida: Sauropterygia)

Placodontia, an enigmatic group of durophagous and in part heavily armoured animals, were members of Sauropterygia, the most diverse and successful group of Mesozoic marine reptiles. Microanatomy and histology of long bones of several armoured and non-armoured Placodontia were studied, covering most of their taxonomic breadth, to elucidate the paleoecology, physiology, and lifestyle of its members. Results reveal an unexpected and not...