Serrano-Branas et al., 2018

Author(s):Serrano-Branas, C. I., Espinosa-Chavez, B., Maccracken, S. A.
Year:2018
Title:Insect damage in dinosaur bones from the Cerro del Pueblo Formation (Late Cretaceous, Campanian) Coahuila, Mexico
Journal:Journal of South American Earth Sciences
Pages:353-365
Abstract

This study represents the first description and analysis of insect borings on hadrosaur bones (Dinosauria: Hadrosauridae) from the Late Campanian Cerro del Pueblo Formation (CdP) of the State of Coahuila, Mexico. Here we describe seven different trace patterns that include a new Cubiculum ichnospecies and possible termite damage. The insect bone borings include holes, notches, chambers, furrows, tunnels and rosettes. Transitional structures can also be observed in the hadrosaur bones. Comparisons of these trace morphologies with extant necrophagous insect groups suggest that the CdP borings were likely the result of dermestid beetle larvae and possible termite osteophagy on a dry hadrosaur corpse prior to burial.

Keywords:Bioerosion, bone substrate, Cretaceous, Mexico, New ichnotaxon, Osteic substrate, Paleontology, Trace fossils
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j. jsames.2018.07.002
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