The first evidence of autopodium palaeopathology in extinct Giraffidae (Artiodactyla, Mammalia)
- Author(s)
- Maria Ríos, Alexandros Xafis
- Abstract
Late Miocene large Giraffidae (e.g. Samotheriinae, Sivatheriinae) are characterized by long and robust metapodials with a significantly stout diaphysis. As a consequence, they constitute one of the most common post-cranial elements of giraffids found in the fossil record. Autopodium pathologies in modern captive giraffes have been thoroughly studied, but there is a clear lack of knowledge on orthopaedic pathology of extinct Giraffidae. Here we describe two distinct cases of hyperostosis found in the metatarsals of two large Late Miocene giraffids: Alcicephalus neumayri and Helladotherium duvernoyi, from Maragha (Iran) and Samos (Greece), respectively, stored in the Naturhistorisches Museum Wien (NHMW). The first specimen (NHMW MAR-4019) shows two main osseous anomalies on the diaphysis: a dorsal cortical oval protrusion, and a massive growth located below the lateral epicondyle dorsal head. The second specimen (NHMW 1911/0005/0308) shows three different nucleus of nodular isolated hyperostosis, a large one towards the proximal epiphysis and two smaller ones positioned towards the distal epiphysis. The evidence of extensive secondary bone production in these specimens may be the result of several causes. We suggest that the malformations of NHMW MAR-4019 possibly represent a type of neoplasic sclerotic process that specifically affects the diaphysis as some kinds of bone tumor (e.g. enchodroma). Subsequently, the hyperostotic nodules of NHMW 1911/0005/0308 were probably caused by a bone-healing response to fracture trauma involving bone or adjacent ligaments (e.g. subperiosteal hematoma). These lesions are extensive, possibly having serious survival implications, and represent the first record of skeletal pathology in extinct giraffids.
- Organisation(s)
- Department of Palaeontology
- External organisation(s)
- Spanish National Research Council (CSIC)
- Publication date
- 04-2020
- Peer reviewed
- Yes
- Austrian Fields of Science 2012
- 105118 Palaeontology
- Portal url
- https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/6c53c3f2-beec-490e-893d-8de4dcb40df6