Osteoderms are bony deposits forming scales, plates or other structures in the dermal
layers of the skin. Osteoderms are found in many groups of extant and extinct reptiles, including
lizards, various groups of dinosaurs (most notably
ankylosaurs and stegosaurus), crocodylians, phytosaurs, aetosaurs,
placodonts, and Nanchangosaurus (a marine reptile with possible ichthyosaur affinities). Osteoderms are uncommon in mammals, but do occur in
most edentates (glyptodonts, armadillos, pangolins, ground sloths).
Osteoderms have clearly evolved independently in many different lineages, and these varied structures should be thought of
anatomical analogues, not homologues, and do not necessarily indicate
monophyly. In many cases osteoderms may function as defensive armor.
See also
Scute
References
- Carroll, R. L. 1988. Vertebrate Paleontology and Evolution. W. H. Freeman and Company.
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