29
shapes in several different groups of vertebrates, including ichthyosaurs, supports
the view that physical and hydromechanical demands provided important selection
pressures to optimize body design for locomotion during vertebrate evolution,”
(Donley et al. 2004 ). Paleontological records of Ichthyosaurs in open marine
sediments confi rm the hypothesis that they were very well adapted to the marine
environment (Sander et al. 2011 ). These ancient marine species possess a streamlined
body, greatly enlarged eyes, an elongated rostrum with numerous conical teeth.
However, some of them, like Shastasaurus , were toothless. According to Sander
and co-workers ( 2011 ), “ Shastasaurus is interpreted as a specialized suction feeder
that preyed on unshelled cephalopods and fi sh, suggesting a unique but widespread
Late Triassic diversifi cation of toothless, suction-feeding ichthyosaurs,” (Sander
et al. 2011 ). Some other unique morphological properties of ichthyosaurs are also
known (see for review Sander 2000 ). For example, Ophthalmosaurus was roughly
4 m long with a mass of 930 kg, and possess the largest eyes with more than 220 mm
in diameter. The species had also the largest sclerotic ring aperture, with a diameter
of about 100 mm. The animal could dive to a depth of 600 m (Motani et al. 1999 ).
Plesiosaurs possess powerful paddle-like limbs as well as heavily reinforced
limb girdles. This group belong to the Sauropterygia, the sister group of the Lepidosauria
(lizards and snakes). The varanoid anguimorphs distributed Late Cretaceous are
known as mosasaurs. They also were highly adapted to marine life because of
elongated body, paddle-like limbs and deep tail (Bernard et al. 2010 ). The anatomical
features of these predators could afford high cruising speeds similar to that of modern
tunas. Probably, they were successful as apex predators of Mesozoic aquatic ecosystems
because of their thermophysiological status with respect to thermoregulation.
Recently, Bernard and co-workers compared the oxygen isotope compositions of
the tooth phosphate of ichthyosaurs, plesiosaurs, and mosasaurs to those of coexisting fi sh. Obtained results confi rm that these marine predators were able to maintain
a constant and high body temperature in oceanic environments that ranged from
tropical, to cold or temperate. “Their estimated body temperatures, in the range
from 35 to 39 °C, suggest high metabolic rates required for predation and fast
swimming over large distances offshore,” (Bernard et al. 2010 ).
Thus, extant marine reptiles are still under investigations. Furthermore, numerous
recent studies on their biomechanics, locomotion, biophysics of swimming and
diving, buoyancy, and fi n kinematics (Riess 1986 ; Taylor 1987 ; Massare 1994 ; Fish
2000 ; Motani 2001 , 2002a , b ; Rayfi eld 2007 ;) as well as on their bone microstructure
(Lopuchowycz and Massare 2002 ) and fi bre-like structures within their skin (Lingham–
Soliar 1999 , 2001 ), suggests high interest in these fossils for the biological materials
science, bionics and biomimetics scientifi c communities.
Today (see for review Andrews 1910 , 1913 ), the Class Reptilia, includes
following orders:
– Testudines (turtles, terrapins, and tortoises);
– Squamata (lizards, worm lizards, and snakes);
– Crocodilia (crocodiles, alligators, gavials, and caimans);
– Rhynchocephalia (two species of lizard-like tuataras).
1.2 Part I: Biomaterials of Vertebrate Origin. An Overview
shapes in several different groups of vertebrates, including ichthyosaurs, supports
the view that physical and hydromechanical demands provided important selection
pressures to optimize body design for locomotion during vertebrate evolution,”
(Donley et al. 2004 ). Paleontological records of Ichthyosaurs in open marine
sediments confi rm the hypothesis that they were very well adapted to the marine
environment (Sander et al. 2011 ). These ancient marine species possess a streamlined
body, greatly enlarged eyes, an elongated rostrum with numerous conical teeth.
However, some of them, like Shastasaurus , were toothless. According to Sander
and co-workers ( 2011 ), “ Shastasaurus is interpreted as a specialized suction feeder
that preyed on unshelled cephalopods and fi sh, suggesting a unique but widespread
Late Triassic diversifi cation of toothless, suction-feeding ichthyosaurs,” (Sander
et al. 2011 ). Some other unique morphological properties of ichthyosaurs are also
known (see for review Sander 2000 ). For example, Ophthalmosaurus was roughly
4 m long with a mass of 930 kg, and possess the largest eyes with more than 220 mm
in diameter. The species had also the largest sclerotic ring aperture, with a diameter
of about 100 mm. The animal could dive to a depth of 600 m (Motani et al. 1999 ).
Plesiosaurs possess powerful paddle-like limbs as well as heavily reinforced
limb girdles. This group belong to the Sauropterygia, the sister group of the Lepidosauria
(lizards and snakes). The varanoid anguimorphs distributed Late Cretaceous are
known as mosasaurs. They also were highly adapted to marine life because of
elongated body, paddle-like limbs and deep tail (Bernard et al. 2010 ). The anatomical
features of these predators could afford high cruising speeds similar to that of modern
tunas. Probably, they were successful as apex predators of Mesozoic aquatic ecosystems
because of their thermophysiological status with respect to thermoregulation.
Recently, Bernard and co-workers compared the oxygen isotope compositions of
the tooth phosphate of ichthyosaurs, plesiosaurs, and mosasaurs to those of coexisting fi sh. Obtained results confi rm that these marine predators were able to maintain
a constant and high body temperature in oceanic environments that ranged from
tropical, to cold or temperate. “Their estimated body temperatures, in the range
from 35 to 39 °C, suggest high metabolic rates required for predation and fast
swimming over large distances offshore,” (Bernard et al. 2010 ).
Thus, extant marine reptiles are still under investigations. Furthermore, numerous
recent studies on their biomechanics, locomotion, biophysics of swimming and
diving, buoyancy, and fi n kinematics (Riess 1986 ; Taylor 1987 ; Massare 1994 ; Fish
2000 ; Motani 2001 , 2002a , b ; Rayfi eld 2007 ;) as well as on their bone microstructure
(Lopuchowycz and Massare 2002 ) and fi bre-like structures within their skin (Lingham–
Soliar 1999 , 2001 ), suggests high interest in these fossils for the biological materials
science, bionics and biomimetics scientifi c communities.
Today (see for review Andrews 1910 , 1913 ), the Class Reptilia, includes
following orders:
– Testudines (turtles, terrapins, and tortoises);
– Squamata (lizards, worm lizards, and snakes);
– Crocodilia (crocodiles, alligators, gavials, and caimans);
– Rhynchocephalia (two species of lizard-like tuataras).
1.2 Part I: Biomaterials of Vertebrate Origin. An Overview