Fossildiagenesis and ontogenetic insights of crocodyliform bones from the Adamantina Formation, Bauru Basin, Brazil

Abstract

The histological analysis of fossil bones allows a taphonomic approach, especially to fossildiagenesis. We studied the femur, vertebra, and osteoderm of the crocodyliform Montealtosuchus arrudacamposi (Adamantina Formation; Late Cretaceous), to make inferences of the sequence of the diagenetic processes. Cross-sections of the bones and the rock matrix that fills the medullar cavity were analyzed under a scanning electron microscopy with compositional analysis (SEM/EDS) and μ-X-Ray fluorescence (μ-XRF). The microstructural pattern of the femur and vertebra was similar, with a transition from vascularized fibrolamellar internal cortex, with reticular and longitudinal canals to zonal lamellar in the outer, and a medullary cavity portion filled with quartz and other mineral grains. The osteoderm, however, presented a less vascularized cortex. In all samples were found the External Fundamental System (EFS), secondary osteons in the internal cortex and spongy tissue, and the transition from a fibrolamellar to a lamellar tissues, indicating that the individual reached ontogenetic maturity (adult/senescent) before they died. The compositional results showed that the samples mainly comprised calcium and phosphorus, which were homogeneously distributed. However, we inferred that these elements occurred during the formation of recrystallized and authigenic minerals. Iron, vanadium, and cerium are the elements found that occurred in the composition of the fossil remains during early diagenesis, and this process was observed to extend to the late diagenesis. Cerium was homogeneously distributed and incorporated to authigenic apatite. Iron and vanadium were restricted to the cortex. The presence of authigenic apatite and Rare Earth Elements (REEs) in the samples supported that the diagenetic environment of the Adamantina Formation was alkaline. Furthermore, it suggested an association with a groundwater environment that have allowed and facilitated the well preservation of fossil vertebrates in this geological formation.