Evolutionary Biology

Hadrosaurs Were Perennial Polar Residents

  1. Anusuya Chinsamy1,*,
  2. Daniel B. Thomas1,
  3. Allison R. Tumarkin-Deratzian2,
  4. Anthony R. Fiorillo3

Article first published online: 17 FEB 2012

DOI: 10.1002/ar.22428

Issue

The Anatomical Record: Advances in Integrative Anatomy and Evolutionary Biology

The Anatomical Record: Advances in Integrative Anatomy and Evolutionary Biology

Volume 295, Issue 4, pages 610–614, April 2012

Additional Information

How to Cite

Chinsamy, A., Thomas, D. B., Tumarkin-Deratzian, A. R. and Fiorillo, A. R. (2012), Hadrosaurs Were Perennial Polar Residents. Anat Rec, 295: 610–614. doi: 10.1002/ar.22428

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Zoology, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, Cape Town, South Africa

  2. 2

    Department of Earth and Environmental Science, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

  3. 3

    Paleontology Department, Museum of Nature and Science, Dallas, Texas

*Department of Zoology, University of Cape Town, Private Bag X3, Rondebosch 7701, Cape Town, South Africa

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 12 MAR 2012
  2. Article first published online: 17 FEB 2012
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 22 DEC 2011
  4. Manuscript Revised: 2 DEC 2011
  5. Manuscript Received: 25 MAY 2011

Funded by

  • National Research Foundation of South Africa, University of Cape Town. Grant Number: NRF 449538
  • National Science Foundation. Grant Number: NSF OPP 0424594

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Keywords:

  • Alaska;
  • dinosaur;
  • Edmontosaurus;
  • histology;
  • migration;
  • overwintering

Abstract

Recent biomechanical evidence has fuelled debate surrounding the winter habits of the hadrosaurian dinosaur Edmontosaurus (ca. 70 Ma). Using histological characteristics recorded in bone, we show that polar Edmontosaurus endured the long winter night. In contrast, the bone microstructure of temperate Edmontosaurus is inconsistent with a perennially harsh environment. Differences in the bone microstructure of polar and temperate Edmontosaurus consequently dispute the hypothesis that polar populations were migratory. The overwintering signal preserved in the microstructure of polar Edmontosaurus bone offers significant insight into the life history of dinosaurs within the Late Cretaceous Arctic. Anat Rec, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

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