Patterns of soft tissue and cellular preservation in relation to fossil bone tissue structure and overburden depth at the Standing Rock Hadrosaur Site, Maastrichtian Hell Creek Formation, South Dakota, USA

摘要: Abstract Recovery of soft tissues and cells from fossil bones is becoming increasingly common, with structures morphologically consistent vertebrate osteocytes, blood vessels, fibrous/collagenous matrix, potential intravascular contents now recognized specimens dating back to the Permian. However, it largely remains unclear how bone tissue structure, early diagenetic regimes, many other taphonomic variables influence or control preservation in fossils. To explore a few these factors, we tested suite fossils Standing Rock Hadrosaur Site, vast Edmontosaurus annectens bonebed Maastrichtian Hell Creek Formation South Dakota, for cellular components. Demineralization samples each specimen yielded abundant microstructures collagenous matrix. This includes first recovery osteocytes vessels vertebral centrum ossified tendons. Perhaps surprisingly, no correlation was found between tissue/cellular either structure type (cortical vs. cancellous) overburden depth at time discovery. A traditional survey site, conducted parallel reported previously, affords clear detailed history remains, both pre- postburial. Cumulative evidence indicates individuals died mass mortality event their disarticulated were buried rapidly shallow floodplain pond during crevasse splay event. Oxygenated flood waters and/or groundwater oxidized initially sideritic concretions goethite diagenesis, facilitating rapid cementation portions sediment that likely aided stabilization by shielding regions prolonged exposure pore fluids. Our findings support cancellous as viable target analyses, corroborate previous propositions iron-rich environments burial facilitate preservation, provide new details into conducive such preservation.