title: Digital reconstruction of the mandible of an adultLesothosaurus diagnosticuswith insight into the tooth replacement process and diet.
abstract: Fragmentary caudal ends of the left and right mandible assigned toLesothosaurus diagnosticus, an early ornithischian, was recently discovered in the continental red bed succession of the upper Elliot Formation (Lower Jurassic) at Likhoele Mountain (Mafeteng District) in Lesotho. Using micro-CT scanning, this mandible could be digitally reconstructed in 3D. The replacement teeth within the better preserved (left) dentary were visualised. The computed tomography dataset suggests asynchronous tooth replacement in an individual identified as an adult on the basis of bone histology. Clear evidence for systematic wear facets created by attrition is lacking. The two most heavily worn teeth are only apically truncated. Our observations of this specimen as well as others do not support the high level of dental wear expected from the semi-arid palaeoenvironment in whichLesothosaurus diagnosticuslived. Accordingly, a facultative omnivorous lifestyle, where seasonality determined the availability, quality, and abundance of food is suggested. This would have allowed for adaptability to episodes of increased environmental stress.
authors.affiliation: Department of Geological Sciences, University of Cape Town , Cape Town , South Africa.
authors.forename: Lara
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sciscio
authors.affiliation: Fundación Conjunto Paleontológico de Teruel-Dinópolis , Teruel , Spain.
authors.forename: Fabien
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Knoll
authors.affiliation: Department of Geological Sciences, University of Cape Town , Cape Town , South Africa.
authors.forename: Emese M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Bordy
authors.affiliation: Department of Geology, University of Johannesburg , Johannesburg , South Africa.
authors.forename: Michiel O
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: de Kock
authors.affiliation: Department of Geological Sciences, University of Cape Town , Cape Town , South Africa.
authors.forename: Ragna
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Redelstorff
keywords: 3D reconstruction; Diet; Early jurassic; Elliot formation; Gondwana; Lesothosaurus diagnosticus; Ornithischia; South Africa; micro-CT