Anomalies and Pathology in the Bones of the Late Cenozoic Ectothermic Tetrapods

Abstract

Anomalies and pathologies can be observed in fossil animals. Among these pathologies are tumors, callus in fractures and the underdevelopment of skeleton elements. Anomalies often occur in the spine and are represented by the fusion of the vertebrae, variations in the joints and the deformation of skeletal elements. Sometimes anomalies and pathology combined in a single element of the skeleton. These anomalies and pathologies may not always be recognized in fossil material, especially if it is small in size. In this case, anomalies can be described as new taxa.