An overview of vertebrate paleopathology and Mesozoic vertebrate paleopathological records of China
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Abstract:
Palaeopathology is a relatively new and interdisciplinary subject, involving pathology, biology, physical anthropology, ar-chaeology, and other fields. Over the past few years, more and more Mesozoic vertebrate paleontological records have been studied. Information found on fossilized bones, through the research of destruction, volume change, deformation, hyperplasia and tumor, has attracted increasing attention around the world. Diseases such as fractures, scratches and infections, vertebral fusion, arthritis, and dental disease have been reported in dinosaurs (including aves), squamates, and mammal-like reptiles from China. The current study of specimens with palaeopathological characteristics has more potential for further discussion and research in China. This paper introduces the major research methods and international progress of palaeopathology based on the skeletal palaeopathological records of the Mesozoic vertebrate fossils from China, analyzing the pathogenetic princi-ples, potential behavioral information, and effects of these lesions on animal survival and ecology. An overview of the re-search methods of pathology and potential future directions (e.g., using pathology to study the morphological function and social behavior of vertebrates) is presented.
