How Common Are Lesions on the Tails of Sauropods? Two New Pathologies in Titanosaurs from the Late Cretaceous of Argentine Patagonia

Studies of the paleopathology of the vertebrae provide an interesting, oblique approach to their paleobiology and even paleoethology. They tell us about possible ethological causes such as accidental blows with objects, social interactions within a group, and defense against predators, etc. There are numerous works on the anatomical and phylogenetic aspects of sauropod dinosaurs, and in recent years paleopathological studies have also increased. Here, we describe the injuries recorded in the caudal vertebrae of two indeterminate titanosaurids, and undertake a compilation and analysis of the pathological fossil record worldwide, focusing on the tails of sauropods. Two pathologies have been identified as present in the indeterminate titanosaurids under study: a possible case of spondyloarthropathy in MAU-Pv-LI-601, and a case of suppurative spinal osteomyelitis in MAU-Pv-LJ-472/1. Both titanosaurids are from Gondwana. In the world registry of pathologies associated with the tails of sauropod dinosaurs, it is observed that titanosaurs are the sauropods with the highest percentage of diagnosed pathologies (69% including the two new records from the province of Neuquen) and that all of these have been described in Gondwanan specimens.

Automated summary

Studies on paleopathology of vertebral column provide an intriguing and indirect approach to understanding their paleobiology and even paleoethology. They reveal possible ethological causes, such as accidental blows, social interactions, and defense against predators. This article focuses on injuries recorded in the caudal vertebrae of two indeterminate titanosaurids and presents a compilation and analysis of the pathological fossil record worldwide, with a particular emphasis on sauropod tails. Two pathologies, suspected spondyloarthropathy and suppurative spinal osteomyelitis, have been identified in the indeterminate titanosaurids from Gondwana. The study highlights that titanosaurs have the highest percentage of diagnosed pathologies (including the newly discovered cases from Neuquen province) among sauropods, and all of these pathologies have been found in Gondwanan specimens.