Dental variability and distinguishability in Mosasaurus lemonnieri (Mosasauridae) from the Campanian and Maastrichtian of Belgium, and implications for taxonomic assessments of mosasaurid dentitions

doi:10.1080/08912963.2019.1588892

Paper

Dental variability and distinguishability in Mosasaurus lemonnieri (Mosasauridae) from the Campanian and Maastrichtian of Belgium, and implications for taxonomic assessments of mosasaurid dentitions

Published Nov 25, 2020 · Daniel Madzia

Historical Biology

Q1 SJR score

8

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1

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Abstract

ABSTRACT Mosasaurus lemonnieri is a mosasaurine mosasaurid first unearthed from the lower Maastrichtian of the Mons Basin, southern Belgium. Even though numerous well-preserved specimens have been attributed to the taxon, the knowledge of its anatomy is surprisingly poor and merely limited to some general characteristics. Here I describe the morphology of the marginal dentition of M. lemonnieri based on the holotype and 14 referred individuals originating from the upper Campanian and Maastrichtian of Belgium. The dental variability is assessed through linear discriminant analyses aimed to appraise the tooth crown distinguishability between (1) individuals, (2) tooth-bearing elements (premaxillae, maxillae, and dentaries), and (3) within particular jaw regions (anterior, middle, and posterior). The overall dental distinguishability between individuals was, expectedly, poor though the rates of correctly classified teeth differed for particular specimens, which can have taxonomic implications. The premaxillary and maxillary teeth were inferred to be more distinguishable than the dentary teeth. The dental distinguishability of M. lemonnieri is further compared to that of other sympatric and potentially sympatric taxa. The use of mosasaurid dental measurements substantially facilitates the comparisons of mosasaurid teeth on both inter- and intraspecific scale, increasing the accuracy of the studies appraising the patterns of mosasaurid dental evolution.

Study Snapshot

Dental distinguishability in Mosasaurus lemonnieri is poor, but premaxillary and maxillary teeth are more distinguishable than dentary teeth, with implications for taxonomic assessments.

PopulationOlder adults (50-71 years)

Sample size24

MethodsObservational

OutcomesBody Mass Index projections

ResultsSocial networks mitigate obesity in older groups.

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Dental variability and distinguishability in Mosasaurus lemonnieri (Mosasauridae) from the Campanian and Maastrichtian of Belgium, and implications for taxonomic assessments of mosasaurid dentitions

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