Visualizing and quantifying biomineral preservation in fossil vertebrate dental remains
In this study, we attempt to illustrate fossil vertebrate dental tissue geochemistry and, by inference, its extent of diagenetic alteration, using quantitative, semi-quantitative and optical tools to evaluate bioapatite preservation. We present visual comparisons of elemental compositions in fish an...
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PeerJ Inc.
2025-01-01
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| author | Matthew B. Cowen Marc de Rafélis Loïc Ségalen Benjamin P. Kear Maïtena Dumont Živilė Žigaitė |
| author_facet | Matthew B. Cowen Marc de Rafélis Loïc Ségalen Benjamin P. Kear Maïtena Dumont Živilė Žigaitė |
| author_sort | Matthew B. Cowen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In this study, we attempt to illustrate fossil vertebrate dental tissue geochemistry and, by inference, its extent of diagenetic alteration, using quantitative, semi-quantitative and optical tools to evaluate bioapatite preservation. We present visual comparisons of elemental compositions in fish and plesiosaur dental remains ranging in age from Silurian to Cretaceous, based on a combination of micro-scale optical cathodoluminescence (CL) observations (optical images and scanning electron microscope) with in-situ minor, trace and rare earth element (REE) compositions (EDS, maps and REE profiles), as a tool for assessing diagenetic processes and biomineral preservation during fossilization of vertebrate dental apatite. Tissue-selective REE values have been obtained using laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS), indicating areas of potential REE enrichment, combined with cathodoluminescence (CL) analysis. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) mapping was also used to identify major elemental components and identify areas of contamination or diagenetic replacement. We conclude that the relative abilities of different dental tissues to resist alteration and proximity to the exposure surface largely determine the REE composition and, accordingly, the inferred quality of preserved bioapatite. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | Kabale University |
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| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | PeerJ Inc. |
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| spelling | doaj-art-e0907b45c7de422587b42e21fe14e1442025-01-04T15:05:28ZengPeerJ Inc.PeerJ2167-83592025-01-0113e1876310.7717/peerj.18763Visualizing and quantifying biomineral preservation in fossil vertebrate dental remainsMatthew B. Cowen0Marc de Rafélis1Loïc Ségalen2Benjamin P. Kear3Maïtena Dumont4Živilė Žigaitė5Department of Organismal Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, SwedenUMR5563 Université de Toulouse/CNRS/IRD/Université Paul Sabatier, Géosciences Environnement Toulouse (GET), Toulouse, FranceUniversite Rouen Normandie, Universite Caen Normandie, CNRS Normandie Universite, Rouen, Normandy, FranceEvolution Museum, Palaeontology and Minerology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, SwedenLaboratory of Bone Biomechanics, Koret School of Veterinary Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, IsraelDepartment of Organismal Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, SwedenIn this study, we attempt to illustrate fossil vertebrate dental tissue geochemistry and, by inference, its extent of diagenetic alteration, using quantitative, semi-quantitative and optical tools to evaluate bioapatite preservation. We present visual comparisons of elemental compositions in fish and plesiosaur dental remains ranging in age from Silurian to Cretaceous, based on a combination of micro-scale optical cathodoluminescence (CL) observations (optical images and scanning electron microscope) with in-situ minor, trace and rare earth element (REE) compositions (EDS, maps and REE profiles), as a tool for assessing diagenetic processes and biomineral preservation during fossilization of vertebrate dental apatite. Tissue-selective REE values have been obtained using laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS), indicating areas of potential REE enrichment, combined with cathodoluminescence (CL) analysis. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) mapping was also used to identify major elemental components and identify areas of contamination or diagenetic replacement. We conclude that the relative abilities of different dental tissues to resist alteration and proximity to the exposure surface largely determine the REE composition and, accordingly, the inferred quality of preserved bioapatite.https://peerj.com/articles/18763.pdfBiomineral presevationDiagenesisTrace elementsREEMicrocathodoluminescenceDental fossils |
| spellingShingle | Matthew B. Cowen Marc de Rafélis Loïc Ségalen Benjamin P. Kear Maïtena Dumont Živilė Žigaitė Visualizing and quantifying biomineral preservation in fossil vertebrate dental remains PeerJ Biomineral presevation Diagenesis Trace elements REE Microcathodoluminescence Dental fossils |
| title | Visualizing and quantifying biomineral preservation in fossil vertebrate dental remains |
| title_full | Visualizing and quantifying biomineral preservation in fossil vertebrate dental remains |
| title_fullStr | Visualizing and quantifying biomineral preservation in fossil vertebrate dental remains |
| title_full_unstemmed | Visualizing and quantifying biomineral preservation in fossil vertebrate dental remains |
| title_short | Visualizing and quantifying biomineral preservation in fossil vertebrate dental remains |
| title_sort | visualizing and quantifying biomineral preservation in fossil vertebrate dental remains |
| topic | Biomineral presevation Diagenesis Trace elements REE Microcathodoluminescence Dental fossils |
| url | https://peerj.com/articles/18763.pdf |
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