The Microstructure of Dinosaur Bone: Deciphering Biology with Fine-scale Techniques

For millions of years, clues to the biology of dinosaurs lie locked within the microscopic structure of their bones. In The Microstructure of Dinosaur Bone, one of the world's leading experts on fossil bone microstructure synthesizes more than 150 years of research to expose the techniques employed and the meaning of dinosaur bone microstructure. In this first book dedicated to dinosaur bone microstructure, Anusuya Chinsamy-Turan begins with a general overview of living bone structure and composition, and then explains how bone structure changes upon death and fossilization. She meticulously unravels how it is that the microscopic structure of fossil bone remains intact after millions of years of fossilization. She also provides a photographic atlas of the kinds of bone tissues found in dinosaurs and expounds on their biological significance. The final chapters offers insight into growth patterns of dinosaurs and the biology of Mesozoic birds, and the book concludes with a reflective discussion on what bone microstructure can and cannot disclose about dinosaur physiology. Drawing from sources across the field of bone histology, Chinsamy-Turan paints a holistic view of the current state of the science and presents a fresh perspective on the relevance of the field to understanding the Dinosauria.

Author: Anusuya Chinsamy-Turan
Publisher: Johns Hopkins University Press
Extra Details: Hardback 7 x 10 inches tall.224 Pages. Illustrated.NEW.