Diagnosis of bone diseases in two representatives of the Pleistocene megafauna of Bahia, Brazil

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to describe and identify the pathologies present in fossils recovered from Toca da Pedreira (Ourolândia, Bahia). A total of 345 specimens were collected in this small opening, of which 18 were identified to some taxonomic level. Macroscopic analyses and comparisons based on published descriptions were performed in this material, and three specimens were identified as having bone alterations: a lumbar vertebra and a navicular of Eremotherium laurillardi and a metacarpal of Toxodon platensis. We identify calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease (CPPD), a possible case of tuberculosis (or spondyloarthropathy) and a ligament avulsion injury. This is the first description of CPPD in Toxodon platensis.

KEYWORDS:

• Palaeopathology
• Brazilian intertropical region
• Quaternary
• mammals

Acknowledgments

To CNPq to research fellowship for MATD (PQ/CNPq 311003/2019-2).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.