A synchrotron-based multidisciplinary approach to investigate the origin and early evolution of fossoriality

The early Permian Bromacker locality is central for studying the origin and evolution of tetrapod fossoriality. This site not only holds body fossils of plants, invertebrates and diverse tetrapods, but also a wealth of associated trace fossils, offering unprecedented insights into the ecology and behaviors of animals that died about 290 Ma. Of particular interest are among the oldest tetrapod burrows and associated scratch marks yet discovered. However, the identity of the burrow-makers remains uncertain. Similarly, the life history traits of Bromacker tetrapods have yet to be documented. The current project thus aims at better understanding the physiology of these species by means of virtual bone palaeohistology. In order to pinpoint the architects of these burrow structures, we will also investigate, using Synchrotron X-ray radiation imaging data, the morphological, biomechanical and microanatomical features that could be associated to a degree of fossoriality in these animals.