Stochastic growth marks in Crocodylus niloticus
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Skeletochronology combined with growth curve reconstruction is routinely used to assess the age and growth dynamics of extinct and extant vertebrates. Here we performed in vivo labelling studies of the bone histology of four 2 years-old Crocodylus niloticus individuals. We found that all the crocodiles have more growth marks in their compacta than expected for their age, i.e., they deposited stochastic growth marks in their bones. Using the fluorochrome markers we determined that these stochastic growth marks were deposited during their favourable season of growth. The variable preservation of growth marks in the crocodile bones highlights developmental plasticity in their growth, which can be extrapolated to extinct archosaurs, and other reptiles. We caution the use of growth marks in fossil bones as a reliable estimator of age and discuss the far-reaching implications this has for growth curve reconstruction and life history assessments of extinct vertebrates, such as nonavian dinosaurs.
Source: Scientific Reports
Authors: Anusuya Chinsamy, Maria-Eugenia Pereyra
Institution: University of Cape Town
Language: English
Subfield: Paleontology
Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,690
OpenAlex ID: W4417447600