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Bone ultrastructure in the antler of the extinct Giant Irish Deer ( Megaceros )
Author(s) -
Dickson Glenn R.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
international journal of osteoarchaeology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.738
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1099-1212
pISSN - 1047-482X
DOI - 10.1002/oa.1390020208
Subject(s) - antler , ultrastructure , skull , biology , anatomy , cancellous bone , ecology
The skull and antlers of an extinct Giant Irish deer ( Megaceros ) were retrieved from a bog in central Ireland. Cancellous bone from the antlers was examined ultrastructurally by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The ultrastructural integrity of bone cells (osteocytes) was remarkable with features such as mitochondria and Golgi elements being clearly demonstrated. Radiocarbon dating indicated that the specimen was around 11 000 years BP . The demonstration of ultrastructure in bone cells of this extinct deer suggests that palaeontological specimens found in bog environments are potentially useful for the ultrastructural investigation of not only the extracellular matrix but, significantly, of the cell itself.