Dorsal Neural Arches Research Articles

A new stegosaurian dinosaur (Ornithischia: Thyreophora) with a remarkable dermal armour from the Middle Jurassic of North Africa

In recent years the Middle Atlas of Morocco has become an area of interest for the study of dinosaurs in northern Africa. The Boulahfa locality, near Boulemane, has produced a diverse dinosaur assemblage from the Middle Jurassic of the El Mers Group. Fossil remains of sauropods and thyreophorans, such as ankylosaurs (Spicomellus) and stegosaurs (Adratiklit), have been reported so far in this region. Here, we describe a new partial thyreophoran skeleton found in the gray marls of the El Mers III Formation (Bathonian-? Callovian), which mainly consists of disarticulated dorsal vertebrae and ribs, and associated dermal armour elements. Axial characters (e.g., elongated pedicels of the dorsal neural arches; upturned transverse processes and dorsal ribs with straight axes suggesting a narrow ribcage) indicate that the specimen belongs to a medium to large-sized stegosaur. The dorsal vertebrae show differences with those of Adratiklit, whose material has been found at the same stratigraphic levels. Thyreosaurus atlasicus gen. et sp. nov. is characterized by a remarkable dermal armour, which consists of thick (up to 4 cm) subovate to subrectangular-shaped osteoderms. The asymmetrical texture of their sides, one roughly ornamented with small pits and fiber bundles, the other with a well-marked cross-hatched pattern, is clearly different from that observed to date in other stegosaurs (and ankylosaurs). The bone histology of these osteoderms is reminiscent of that of stegosaurian tail spines. It is interpreted that these osteoderms were arranged in a recumbent position over the body of the animal, instead of an erect position. The holotype corresponds to an adult individual who did not reach its maximum body size (estimated body length 6 m). The phylogenetic analysis suggests that Thyreosaurus is closely related to Dacentrurus within Dacentrurinae. The recent discoveries of Adratiklit and Thyreosaurus provide insight into the early evolution of stegosaurs in the Middle Jurassic of Africa.

Exencephaly-Anencephaly Sequence Associated with Maxillary Brachygnathia, Spinal Defects, and Palatoschisis in a Male Domestic Cat.

Anencephaly, a severe neural tube defect characterized by the absence of major parts of the brain and skull, is a rare congenital disorder that has been observed in various species, including cats. Considering the uncommon appearance of anencephaly, this paper aims to present anencephaly in a stillborn male kitten from an accidental inbreeding using various paraclinical methods. Histological examination of tissue samples from the cranial region, where parts of the skull were absent, revealed the presence of atypical nerve tissue with neurons and glial cells organized in clusters, surrounded by an extracellular matrix and with an abundance of blood vessels, which are large, dilated, and filled with blood, not characteristic of nerve tissue structure. In CT scans, the caudal part of the frontal bone, the fronto-temporal limits, and the parietal bone were observed to be missing. CT also revealed that the dorsal tubercle of the atlas, the dorsal neural arch, and the spinal process of the C2-C7 bones were missing. In conclusion, the kitten was affected by multiple congenital malformations, a combination of exencephaly-anencephaly, maxillary brachygnathism, closed cranial spina bifida at the level of cervical vertebrae, kyphoscoliosis, palatoschisis, and partial intestinal atresia. The importance of employing imaging techniques cannot be overstated when it comes to the accurate diagnosis of neural tube defects.

NUEVOS RESTOS DE REBAQUISÁURIDOS DESDE LA FORMACIÓN HUINCUL (CENOMANIANO MEDIO–TURONIANO TEMPRANO) DEL CENTRO DE LA CUENCA NEUQUINA, PATAGONIA, ARGENTINA

In the central Neuquén Basin, the Huincul Formation comprises thick successions of Upper Cretaceous fluvial deposits widely exposed at the south and north-west of Huincul High. The vertebrate fossil record from the Huincul Formation is very abundant, especially considering the saurischian dinosaurs, including several theropod (Mapusaurus, Taurovenator, Aoniraptor, Skorpiovenator, Ilokelesia, Gualicho, Overoraptor, Tralkasaurus, and Huinculsaurus) and sauropod specimens (Choconsaurus, Argentinosaurus, Cathartesaura, Limaysaurus, and the indeterminate rebbachisaurid MMCH-Pv-49). In this contribution, we describe new rebbachisaurid sauropod findings from the El Orejano locality (Neuquén Province, Argentina), where coarse sandstones outcrop referred to the lower section of the Huincul Formation. The new material includes three axial elements that we refer to Rebbachisauridae: a partial dorsal neural arch (MAU-Pv-EO-633), an incomplete dorsal vertebra (MAU-Pv-EO-634), and an almost complete caudal vertebra (MAU-Pv-EO-666). These new findings share different features with other members of that family, although show some morphological differences with other rebbachisaurid taxa, which suggest a more diversified fauna in the central Neuquén Basin than previously known, at least during the Cenomanian/Turonian interval. This record from the new fossiliferous locality of El Orejano allows us to improve our knowledge about the morphological diversity of the Rebbachisauridae during the early Late Cretaceous. Furthermore, it represents one of the most modern records of the family, adding new information on the last stages of the evolutionary history of rebbachisaurids.

A new abelisauroid (Dinosauria: Theropoda) from the Huincul Formation (lower Upper Cretaceous, Neuquén Basin) of Patagonia, Argentina

A new ceratosaurian theropod dinosaur, Huinculsaurus montesi gen. et sp. nov., is described here. This taxon is based on the last three dorsal vertebrae and the first and second sacral vertebrae found in association at Aguada Grande, Neuquén Province, Argentina. Although fragmentary, Huinculsaurus shows a unique mix of features which differentiates it from all other theropods, including the sympatric abelisaurid Ilokelesia, and is diagnosed by prezygapophyseal articular facets twice longer than wide, anterior centroparapophyseal lamina strongly developed as an extensive lateral lamina in the posterior dorsal vertebrae, pneumatic foramina located ventrally to the postzygodiapophyseal lamina in the posterior dorsal vertebrae, posteriorly tapering postzygapophysis pointed posteriorly, and an accessory lamina bisecting the parapophyseal centrodiapophyseal fossa in the posterior dorsal neural arches. Phylogenetic analyses recovered Huinculsaurus as most closely related to the Late Jurassic Elaphrosaurus than to other Cretaceous abelisauroids, suggesting the persistence of the elaphrosaurine lineage in South America up to the early Late Cretaceous.

A new rebbachisaurid (Sauropoda: Diplodocoidea) from the middle Cretaceous of northern Brazil

A new genus and species of Rebbachisauridae sauropod from the Cenomanian of the São Luís Basin, Alcântara Formation, Itapeuasaurus cajapioensis gen. et sp. nov., is described, the first from this temporal interval in northern Brazil. It is characterized by the presence of large and deep fossae on ventro-lateral aspect of the dorsal neural arch split by laminae obliquely oriented; posterior centrodiapophyseal lamina forked ventrally forming the dorsal edge of the centrodiapophyseal fossa; dorsal and ventral components of anterior caudal transverse process thinner than the usual bony bar. This latter feature is associated with the presence of a prezygodiapophyseal centrodiapophyseal fossa accessory lamina. The phylogenetic analysis performed herein identifies the subclade Nigersaurinae as a South American – African/European clade, suggesting a vicariant event before Cenomanian times. In addition, continental vertebrate taxa recorded in the Alcântara Formation offer support to a minor evolutionary change after major vicariant event in Western Gondwana.

Epidemiological and morphological characteristics of incomplete ossification of the dorsal neural arch of the atlas in dogs with atlantoaxial instability.

OBJECTIVE To retrospectively evaluate the epidemiological and morphological features and outcome of surgical treatment of incomplete ossification of the dorsal neural arch of the atlas (IODA) in dogs with atlantoaxial instability (AAI). ANIMALS 106 AAI-affected dogs that underwent ventral fixation of the atlantoaxial joint. PROCEDURES Medical records and CT images for each dog were reviewed. Dogs were allocated to 1 of 2 groups on the basis of the presence or absence of IODA or of dens abnormalities (DAs) in CT images. RESULTS Of the 106 dogs with AAI, 75 had and 31 did not have IODA; 70 had and 36 did not have DAs. Incomplete ossification was present in the cranialmost, central, or caudalmost portion of the dorsal neural arch of the atlas in 59, 39, and 28 dogs, respectively; 2 or 3 portions were affected in 29 and 11 dogs, respectively. The mean CT value (in Hounsfield units) for the midline of the dorsal neural arch of the atlas in dogs with IODA was significantly lower than that for the same site in the dogs without IODA. The mean age at surgery for dogs with central IODA was significantly higher than that of the non-IODA group. The severity of spinal cord injury before or after atlantoaxial ventral fixation did not differ between the IODA and non-IODA groups. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results indicated that concomitant DAs or IODA is common in dogs with AAI. In dogs with incomplete ossification in the central part of the dorsal neural arch of the atlas, surgical treatment of AAI generally occurs at a middle to advanced age.

The first juvenile specimens of Plateosaurus engelhardti from Frick, Switzerland: isolated neural arches and their implications for developmental plasticity in a basal sauropodomorph.

The dinosaur Plateosaurus engelhardti is the most abundant dinosaur in the Late Triassic of Europe and the best known basal sauropodomorph. Plateosaurus engelhardti was one of the first sauropodomorph dinosaurs to display a large body size. Remains can be found in the Norian stage of the Late Triassic in over 40 localities in Central Europe (France, Germany, and Switzerland) and in Greenland. Since the first discovery of P. engelhardti no juvenile specimens of this species had been described in detail. Here we describe the first remains of juvenile individuals, isolated cervical and dorsal neural arches from Switzerland. These were separated postmortem from their respective centra because of unfused neurocentral sutures. However the specimens share the same neural arch morphology found in adults. Morphometric analysis suggests body lengths of the juvenile individuals that is greater than those of most adult specimens. This supports the hypothesis of developmental plasticity in Plateosaurus engelhardti that previously had been based on histological data only. Alternative hypotheses for explaining the poor correlation between ontogenetic stage and size in this taxon are multiple species or sexual morphs with little morphological variance or time-averaging of individuals from populations differing in body size.

Additions to the sauropod dinosaur fauna of the Cenomanian (early Late Cretaceous) Kem Kem beds of Morocco: Palaeobiogeographical implications of the mid-Cretaceous African sauropod fossil record

Determining the relationships of mid-Late Cretaceous African taxa is central to understanding the timing and resultant palaeobiogeographical patterns of Gondwanan fragmentation. The early Late Cretaceous (Cenomanian) Kem Kem beds of southeastern Morocco preserve a diverse vertebrate fauna, including sauropod dinosaurs. Sauropod material includes the holotype of the rebbachisaurid diplodocoid Rebbachisaurus garasbae and fragmentary remains representing indeterminate titanosauriforms and rebbachisaurids. Here, we describe two new specimens from the Kem Kem beds. A dorsal neural arch with complex internal pneumaticity is tentatively attributed to a somphospondylan titanosauriform. A caudal vertebra possessing several rebbachisaurid synapomorphies is excavated by a large and pervasive lateral pneumatic foramen, a feature undocumented in other rebbachisaurids. However, caudal vertebrae are currently unknown for the sympatric R. garasbae, so this element could be referable to that taxon or a second, previously unknown, rebbachisaurid species. Interestingly, this new caudal vertebra displays a mosaic of features otherwise restricted to limaysaurine or nigersaurine rebbachisaurids, suggesting a placement basal to these clades, which is the position usually recovered for R. garasbae in phylogenetic analyses. A review of the mid-Cretaceous African sauropod fossil record removes the Cretaceous record of dicraeosaurids from Africa, restricting this clade to a single post-Jurassic occurrence in Argentina. All diagnostic sauropod remains can be attributed to titanosauriforms or rebbachisaurids. Whereas rebbachisaurids were seemingly restricted to northwestern Africa and disappeared post-Cenomanian, titanosauriforms were widespread across the African continent and survived until the latest Cretaceous. The development of the mid-Cretaceous Trans-Saharan Seaway might have acted as a dispersal barrier for rebbachisaurids and other vertebrate groups. In contrast, titanosauriforms might have been able to cross this barrier, but it is possible that they were also unable to disperse, and that northwestern African titanosauriforms were not closely related to taxa from the rest of the African continent. New materials and a better understanding of titanosaur interrelationships will be crucial in teasing these scenarios apart.

Dnm3os, a non‐coding RNA, is required for normal growth and skeletal development in mice

Dnm3os, a gene that is transcribed into a non-coding RNA (ncRNA), contains three micro RNAs (miRNAs), miR-199a, miR-199a*, and miR-214, whose functions remain unknown in mammals. In this study, we introduced the lacZ gene into the Dnm3os locus to recapitulate its expression pattern and disrupt its function. Dnm3os(+/lacZ) heterozygous embryos showed beta-galactosidase activity, which reflected the authentic expression pattern of Dnm3os RNA. Most of the Dnm3os(lacZ/lacZ) homozygous pups died within one month of birth. After birth, Dnm3os(lacZ/lacZ) mice exhibited several skeletal abnormalities, including craniofacial hypoplasia, defects in dorsal neural arches and spinous processes of the vertebrae, and osteopenia. Importantly, the expression of miR-199a, miR-199a*, and miR-214 was significantly down-regulated in Dnm3os(lacZ/lacZ) embryos, supporting the assumption that Dnm3os serves as a precursor of these three miRNAs. Thus, Dnm3os has emerged as an miRNA-encoding gene that is indispensable for normal skeletal development and body growth in mammals.

FIRST RECORD OF SIMOSAURUS (SAUROPTERYGIA, NOTHOSAUROIDEA) FROM THE CARNIAN (LATE TRIASSIC) OF ITALY

The nothosauroid sauropterygian Simosaurus is reported for the first time both from Italy and from the early Carnian (earliest Late Triassic). Diagnostic dorsal neural arches and clavicles as well dorsal ribs have been collected in the Rio dal Lago Formation near Dogna (Friuli). Purported Simosaurus remains from the Ladinian of Austria cannot be attributed to this genus with certainty and the presence of additional articular structures in the dorsal neural arch (infraprezygapophyses and infrapostzygapophyses) cannot distinguish Simosaurus from Bobosaurus if the craniocaudal polarity or other vertebral features are unknown.

Minor defects of the sacrum and neurogenic bladder dysfunction.

Minor defects of the sacrum are common and often dismissed as normal. The radiographs of 100 patients with urinary incontinence revealed sacral abnormalities in 43. Sacral evoked responses were measured and compared independently with the radiological findings. Patients who had defective closure of the dorsal neural arches of S1 or S2 all had abnormal nerve studies. We suggest that incomplete development of the bones of the dorsal neural arches of the upper sacrum may be a marker of incomplete neurogenesis of the sacral nerves. The sacral neurological deficit is subtle and difficult to demonstrate, but it is real and may be important in the pathogenesis of incontinence.