DOI: 10.5061/dryad.d51c5b09m
title: Micro CT scans of TMP2023.012.0237 - Pterosaur cervical vertebra with bite mark

description: Identifying feeding interactions in the fossil record remains a key
 challenge for palaeoecologists. We report the rare occurrence of a
 conical, perforative bite mark in a cervical vertebra of an azhdarchid
 pterosaur, which we identify as a juvenile individual of Cryodrakon boreas
 from the Campanian Dinosaur Park Formation in Alberta, Canada. Based on a
 comparative analysis of the dentition and ecomorphology of potential trace
 makers in the Dinosaur Park Formation as well as the morphology of the
 trace, the most likely candidate is a crocodilian, although whether it was
 made as a result of scavenging or predatory behaviour is unknown. Feeding
 interactions involving pterosaurs are rare, globally, whereas crocodilian
 bite marks are not uncommon in Cretaceous terrestrial ecosystems. Given
 the opportunistic feeding style and known range of food items for both
 extant and extinct crocodilians, pterosaurs can be counted as a rare, but
 not surprising component of at least some Cretaceous crocodilian diets.
description: Micro CT scan data of the pterosaur (Azhdarchidae) cervical
 vertebra TMP 2023.012.0237. The specimen has a putative bite mark.  The
 specimen was micro-CT scanned using a Bruker SkyScan 1173 at the
 University of Calgary Foothills Campus on Nov 22, 2023. The specimen was
 scanned under 130 kV using a 0.25 mm brass filer, at a distance of 143.25
 mm for a resulting image resolution of 39.11 mm.
description: # Micro CT scans of TMP2023.012.0237 - Pterosaur cervical vertebra with
 bite mark
 [https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.d51c5b09m](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.d51c5b09m) The data files represents serial sections outputs from a micro-computed tomography scan of the fossil vertebra TMP 2023.012.0237 (Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology. The specimen is a cervical vertebrate of a small (juvenile) pterosaur (Azhdarchidae). Of particular interest is a putative tooth puncture mark in the specimen. These data were used to generate 1) digital transverse slices through the element (Figure 2-3), and 2) three dimensional rendering of the external surface of the element (Figure 2-4).  Neither the specimen, nor the tooth mark, were segmented for this project.  ## Description of the data and file structure The data files are digital serial sections outputs from the micro-CT in .jpg file format.  All sections are in the transverse plane, sampling the anterior portion of the element. A total of 731 slices were generated.  0306 is the most anterior slice and 1036 is the most posterior slice.  Slice numbering format is "Specimen#__Slice#.jpg". Example "TMP2023_012_0237__rec0306.jpg" is transverse slice #0306 from the specimen TMP2023_012_0237.  The range of the scan (and the slices) does not span the entire element, but focuses on the anterior end (the posterior portion of the element is not included) File "TMP2023_012_0237__rec.log" is the logged output of scan parameters  Files "TMP2023_012_0237__rec_spr.jpg/bmp" are lateral previews of scanned area ## **Sharing/Access information** These data are not located in another repository and are not derived from other datasets.