Mamenchisaurid dental anatomy using high-resolution micro-CT (free pdf)
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Ben Creisler
Apr 3, 2026, 5:33:32 PM (3 days ago) Apr 3
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Ben Creisler
A recent paper:
Zi-Xian Sui, Shuai Sha & Ya-Lei Yin (2026)
The anatomy of a mamenchisaurid tooth informed by digital reconstruction.
Swiss Journal of Palaeontology 145: 475-486
doi: https://doi.org/10.3897/sjp.145.187923
https://sjp.pensoft.net/article/187923/
The detailed dental anatomy of sauropod mamenchisaurids remains largely unexplored. Here, we describe a well-preserved isolated sauropod tooth from the Upper Jurassic Qigu Formation of the Turpan-Hami Basin, Xinjiang, using high-resolution micro-CT and three-dimensional reconstruction to investigate its internal anatomy. This tooth exhibits a unique combination of features of Mamenchisauridae, specifically the presence of marginal denticles restricted to the mesial margin, and a circular distolingual boss. CT scan data provide novel insights into mamenchisaurid dental anatomy and present the first three-dimensional enamel distribution in sauropod teeth. The lingual ridge forms from thickened enamel and dentine, whereas the lingual boss arises solely from dentine expansion. A labiolingual enamel thickness asymmetry appears in the apical region, convergent with certain neosauropods. The pulp cavity shows a distinct volumetric transition, expanding basally into a bulbous root canal and appearing as a labiolingually compressed lamina structure in the crown. Taxonomic comparison indicates that this tooth represents a mamenchisaurid lineage distinct from the previously only known sauropod tooth from the Qigu Formation. Our study supports a diverse sauropod assemblage in the Qigu Formation and provides new anatomical evidence for understanding sauropod dental evolution.
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Free pdf:
Zi-Xian Sui, Shuai Sha & Ya-Lei Yin (2026)
The anatomy of a mamenchisaurid tooth informed by digital reconstruction.
Swiss Journal of Palaeontology 145: 475-486
doi: https://doi.org/10.3897/sjp.145.187923
https://sjp.pensoft.net/article/187923/
The detailed dental anatomy of sauropod mamenchisaurids remains largely unexplored. Here, we describe a well-preserved isolated sauropod tooth from the Upper Jurassic Qigu Formation of the Turpan-Hami Basin, Xinjiang, using high-resolution micro-CT and three-dimensional reconstruction to investigate its internal anatomy. This tooth exhibits a unique combination of features of Mamenchisauridae, specifically the presence of marginal denticles restricted to the mesial margin, and a circular distolingual boss. CT scan data provide novel insights into mamenchisaurid dental anatomy and present the first three-dimensional enamel distribution in sauropod teeth. The lingual ridge forms from thickened enamel and dentine, whereas the lingual boss arises solely from dentine expansion. A labiolingual enamel thickness asymmetry appears in the apical region, convergent with certain neosauropods. The pulp cavity shows a distinct volumetric transition, expanding basally into a bulbous root canal and appearing as a labiolingually compressed lamina structure in the crown. Taxonomic comparison indicates that this tooth represents a mamenchisaurid lineage distinct from the previously only known sauropod tooth from the Qigu Formation. Our study supports a diverse sauropod assemblage in the Qigu Formation and provides new anatomical evidence for understanding sauropod dental evolution.
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Gregory Paul
8:07 AM (7 hours ago) 8:07 AM
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Does anyone know whether the Natural History Museum Dubai is open, or closed because of the war? And if the later what are they doing about the dinosaur specimens Stan included? I ask because I cannot find info on the web, am probably missing something.
GSPaul
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