A three-dimensional skeleton of Goniopholididae from the Late Jurassic of Portugal: implications for the reinforcement system of Crocodylomorpha.
Creators: name: Eduardo Puertolas Pascual
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2023
Subjects: micro ct
Microtomography
fossil
bones
fossil bones
Mesozoic vertebrate
cocodriles
3d models
tomography
osteoderms
Paleoneuroanatomy

description: Objectives:The services provided by the CENIEH, in this casethe application of Computed Microtomography (micro Tac) to fossilbones, have beenused several times. The main goalhas been toscan Mesozoic vertebrates, mainly crocodiles, with the intentionof seeing cavitiesand other internalstructures that are usually hiddenor inaccessible due to the rocky matrix thatcontains the fossil. The purpose ofthe data obtainedfrom the microTACcan be summarizedas:- Internal anatomyof fossils: CTscans allow paleontologists to visualize the internal structures of fossils withouthaving to damagethem. This includesbones, teeth, softtissues, and insome cases even preserved organs.- Three-dimensional reconstruction: From the images obtainedwith the TAC scanner, accurate 3D models of the fossils canbe created. This facilitates the detailed study of morphology and allows the analysis of functional and evolutionary aspects.- Taxonomic comparisons: The CT scanis a valuabletool that allowsto observe anatomical features that maybe hidden from the naked eye, such as sutures, internal cavities, etc. Obtaining thisinformation is very useful for classifying and comparing extinct species with other knownones. This helpsto determine evolutionary relationships and to understand pastbiodiversity.- Behavioral study: By analyzing fossilsin their three-dimensionalcontext, scientists can infer aspects of the behavior and ecology ofextinct organisms. In our case, the CT imagesand 3D modelsgenerated can beused for paleoneuroanatomystudies. Paleoneuroanatomy is a branch of paleontology thatfocuses on the study of the brain structures and nervous systemof extinct organismsthrough the analysisof fossils andendocranial molds. Its goal is to reconstruct andunderstand the brain anatomy ofancient species to gain informationabout their behavior, cognitive ability and evolution. GettingThree-Dimensional Imaging: CT scans use X-rays to getdetailed pictures of the interiorof the skulland other tissues. These images aregenerated in cross-sectionsand then combinedto create accurate3D models of the endocranial cavity. CT scansidentify and mapor segment impressionsand internal characteristics of the skull, which correspond to brain structuressuch as thebrain, cerebral ventricles, olfactory bulbs, inner ear, and other partsof the nervoussystem. From thesedata, accurate measurements of theendocranial cavity can be made and compared withmodern species to infer aspects related to the ize and shape of the brainof fossil organisms. This allows inferencesto be madeabout the cognitive, sensory and behavioralcapacities of fossil organisms. For example, it ispossible to estimatecognitive, visual, olfactory, auditory skills, etc. Thus, comparingfossil brains withthose of modernspecies helps tounderstand the evolution of thenervous system and provides informationabout changes inbehaviour and cognitionover time. 
In this study we describe a partially articulated model of a small neosuchian crocodilemorph from the Upper Jurassic of Portugal. The skeleton corresponds to the posterior region of the trunk and is composed of dorsal, ventral and limb osteoderms, dorsal vertebrae, torcular ribs and part of the posterior limb. The study focuses on the comparison of thermal armor (osteoderms) with the variety of neoplasms from the Jurassic, Cretaceous and current periods, providing a detailed description of this type of osteoderms. The exceptional 3D preservation of the specimen and the use of micro-computed tomography at CENIEH allows us to interpret the bone system of this organism to evaluate whether the predicted models are accurate. The support system is the set of vertebrae, osteoderms, ligaments and muscles that support the organism and are involved in its style of locomotion. The characters observed in this specimen are consistent with Goniopholididae, a family of neoplasms abundant in the majority of semi-aquatic ecosystems from the Jurassic and Cretaceous of Laurasia. 
"This report acknowledges the financial support of the Access to Research Infrastructures activity in the H2020-INFRAIA-2019-1 of the EU (IPERION HS Grant Agreement n. 871034)