Pathologies in the Early Pliocene phocid seals from Langebaanweg, South Africa

Authors

  • Romala Govender University of Cape Town
  • Graham Avery Iziko South African Museum, Cape Town
  • Anusuya Chinsamy University of Cape Town

Keywords:

Langebaanweg, fossil seal, pathologies, arthritis, fracture

Abstract

Abundant vertebrate fossils have been recorded from the Early Pliocene locality, Langebaanweg, South Africa. This study documents the pathologies evident in the 5 million-year-old fossil phocid seal assemblage. Careful anatomical assessment of the remains revealed that 0.73% showed evidence of disease and/or trauma. The majority of the ailments were forms of osteoarthritis, although periodontitis and osteomyelitis were also evident. Some bones also showed healed fractures, suggesting that the individuals survived the traumatic event. Two cases of dental pathologies were also noted.

Author Biography

  • Graham Avery, Iziko South African Museum, Cape Town
    University of Cape Town, South Africa

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Published

2011-01-28

Issue

Vol. 107 No. 1/2 (2011)

Section

Research Letters

License

Creative Commons License
All articles are published under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence

Copyright is retained by the authors. Readers are welcome to reproduce, share and adapt the content without permission provided the source is attributed.

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How to Cite

Govender, R., Avery, G., & Chinsamy, A. (2011). Pathologies in the Early Pliocene phocid seals from Langebaanweg, South Africa. South African Journal of Science, 107(1/2), 6 pages. https://sajs.co.za/article/view/10081
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