The Anatomical Record

🎉 Meet our IPC7 Travel Grant recipients! Congratulations to Lutendo Mukwevho, who has been awarded an IPC7 Travel Grant supported by The Anatomical Record. Lutendo is a PhD student at the Evolutionary Studies Institute, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa.

Never look a gift turtle in the mouth! A new study of Kinosternon scorpioides reveals a mucus-rich oral cavity, diverse tongue papillae, and microscopic adaptations that may reflect its semi-aquatic, omnivorous lifestyle. Study by Bezerra et al.: doi.org/10.1002/ar.7...

🎉 Meet our IPC7 Travel Grant recipients! Congratulations to Tomas Fornari, who has been awarded a Travel Grant supported by The Anatomical Record to participate in the symposium Advances on the Histology of the Mineralised Tissues of Vertebrates.

Morphological adaptations of cervical vertebrae in plunge-diving sulids - @anatrecord.bsky.social via @wiley.com anatomypubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...

Happy #FossilFriday! A new study reveals the first dentary crest in Brasileodactylus araripensis, a Cretaceous pterosaur from Brazil. This discovery highlights how growth and sexual dimorphism may have shaped pterosaur evolution and taxonomy. Study by Nascimento et al.: doi.org/10.1002/ar.7...

Talk about a stiff competition! A new study shows gannets and other diving birds have evolved reinforced neck vertebrae to withstand the high-impact plunge of a headfirst dive. Turns out, they’re not just winging it when it comes to evolution! Study by Vandenberg et al.: doi.org/10.1002/ar.7...

Alcohol use disorder can damage the gut’s epithelial barrier, promoting “leaky gut,” endotoxemia, and systemic inflammation. Research highlights zinc, glutamine, vitamin D and probiotics as potential strategies to protect gut health and treatment. Study by Mak & Shekhar: doi.org/10.1002/ar.7...

Happy #FossilFriday! Riama-gine what skulls can tell us about evolution! Comparing 6 Riama species shows variation in skulls, teeth, and sexual dimorphism. This shows the use of cranial anatomy for phylogenetics and evolution. Study by Vega-Rangel et al.: doi.org/10.1002/ar.7...

We are excited to share our latest issue, featuring a variety of incredible papers! The cover for this issue features a paper describing cranial fossils of Mioproteus wezei providing the most complete skull of any fossil proteid salamander, by Syromyatnikova: doi.org/10.1002/ar.7...

🎉 Meet our IPC7 Travel Grant recipients! Congratulations to Enele Twala, who has been awarded an IPC7 Travel Grant by @anatrecord.bsky.social to participate in the symposium "Advances on the Histology of the Mineralised Tissues of Vertebrates." www.ipc7.site

🎉 Meet our IPC7 Travel Grant recipients! Congratulations to Aurore Canoville, who has been awarded an IPC7 Travel Grant supported by The Anatomical Record to participate in the symposium "Advances on the Histology of the Mineralised Tissues of Vertebrates."

Check out @anatrecord.bsky.social editor's choice interview featuring author Olaf Lizak! 🔗 anatomypubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/hub/editors-... #anatomy #science #research #education #AAA

🐍A surprise at the tail's end. In this Editor's Choice article from @anatrecord.bsky.social, researchers investigate the unusual tail vertebrae of reed snakes, revealing an extraordinary caudal vertebral morphology and new insights into snake anatomy. Read more: https://bit.ly/46VQ8Pz

Happy #FossilFriday! Using high-res CT, researchers reveal the skull anatomy of Brazilian Pleistocene amphisbaenians, showing braincase structures and new characters for studying their evolution. Even they can’t worm (lizard) their way out of research! Study by Paiva et al.: doi.org/10.1002/ar.7...

More turtle research please(-iobaena)! Research on the fossil turtle Plesiobaena antiqua reveals variation in its skull and jaws. Micro-CT scans show developmental changes and shifts toward hard-shelled prey, offering clues to baenid evolution. Study by Bellotti et al.: doi.org/10.1002/ar.7...

A pika from the past? Now that’s what we call pika-boo! New fossil skulls of Desmatolagus gobiensis from China place it as the most basal ochotonid, with juvenile fossils revealing an unusual tooth-replacement pattern resembling modern lagomorphs. Study by Zhang & Wang: doi.org/10.1002/ar.7...

When life gives you Lemonnieri, make Thoraxion! For #FossilFriday, we’re celebrating with a study revisiting 50+ mosasaur specimens. This research supports Mosasaurus lemonnieri as a valid taxa, and identifies a new mosasaurine, Thoraxion tahlequahae. Study by Sharpe et al.: doi.org/10.1002/ar.7...

We're pleased to share the scientific abstract volume from the American Association for Anatomy's 2026 Anatomy Connected conference earlier this year: anatomypubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/19328494... Congratulations to all the presenters! We hope to see everyone again next year in Cincinnati.

A fresh look at historic mosasaur fossils from Belgium! New study by Sharpe et al. confirms Mosasaurus lemonnieri as a valid species, describes a new mosasaurine, Thoraxion tahlequahae & reveals insights into mosasaur anatomy, variation & evolution anatomypubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...

A striking discovery in snake anatomy! In this @anatrecord.bsky.social Editor's Pick, researchers describe previously undocumented "quasi-haemapophyses" in the mid-trunk vertebrae of Atractaspis corpulenta kivuensis, revealing an extraordinary vertebral morphology. Read more: https://bit.ly/4A6KhUY

We are excited to promote our recent Editor's Choice interview for this month! Be sure to check out this awesome article! x.com/WileyLifeSci...

Spiderman? No it’s a Spidersnake! Micro-CT analysis of the holotype of Pseudocerastes urarachnoides reveals striking variation along its vertebral column, especially in the tail—but no skeletal element beneath the spider-like appendages. Study by Georgalis et al.: doi.org/10.1002/ar.7...

Happy #FossilFriday! New fossil discoveries are rewriting the early history of owls. More than 350 Pleistocene bones provide the first detailed view of Athene vallgornerensis, revealing a variable anatomy and a more arboreal lifestyle than modern owls. Study by Zelenkov: doi.org/10.1002/ar.7...

We are excited to promote our recent Editor's Choice interview for this month! Be sure to check out this awesome article!

Egg-cellent research! A study of Rhinoclemmys punctularia found that eggshell calcium and thickness decline during development, coinciding with bone formation. These findings reveal a key link between shell mineral dynamics and skeletal development. Study by Lemos et al.: doi.org/10.1002/ar.7...

Who “nose” how turtle nasal anatomy evolved? A study of Emydura subglobosa reveals key developmental changes, distinctive pleurodiran features, and a new fenestra rostralis—offering new insights into #turtle cranial evolution. Study by Ito et al.: doi.org/10.1002/ar.7...

Happy #FossilFriday! New research on Priohybodus arambourgi reveals a surprising evolutionary story: despite the advanced serrated teeth, the internal dental structure remained conservative. Thin enameloid may signal generalist feeding. Study by Silva et al.: doi.org/10.1002/ar.7...

Tooth be told, enamel is tough! New research shows that complex enamel structure helps resist fracture, with stronger prism decussation in guiding and mandibular cusps potentially compensating for lower Hunter-Schreger band density. Study by Grine et al: doi.org/10.1002/ar.7...

Happy #FossilFriday! New research on Moschops reveals clues to its life: flexible daily activity, possible swimming ability, unusual brain growth, and potentially preserved soft brain tissue—the first possible evidence in a non-mammalian synapsid. Study by Benoit et al.: doi.org/10.1002/ar.7...

📣 We’re thrilled to announce that the 6th Circular of the IPC7 is now available! Don’t miss out on the latest updates as we prepare to welcome paleontologists from around the world to Cape Town, South Africa in 2026! 📥 Download -> www.ipc7.site

Bird-brained? Think again! Research in 6 #bird species finds a conserved orexinergic system despite differences in #brain size, evolution, and life history, with 2 hypothalamic clusters and neuron numbers strongly linked to brain mass. Study: Mazengenya et al. doi.org/10.1002/ar.7...

A new study maps secretagogin (SCGN) in the three-spot gourami brain and pituitary, revealing region-specific expression. The study provides the first detailed SCGN neuroanatomical map in a labyrinthine teleost. Study by Gharad et al.: doi.org/10.1002/ar.7...

Happy #FossilFriday! New Late Triassic tetrapod footprints from Brazil expand the ichnological record of the Candelária Sequence. 28 footprints in 5 trackways show affinities with Procolophonichnium ichnotaxa. Study by Andrade-Silva & Francischini: doi.org/10.1002/ar.7...

Woodpeckers’ head-banging lifestyle may be more about physiology than anatomy. A new study suggests that motor neuron number, density and location are similar to house sparrows, while neuron size varies by muscle—not species. Study by Moody et al.: doi.org/10.1002/ar.7...

A recent study of Venkatasuchus armatum osteoderms reveals its bony armor grew slowly and intermittently, with extensive remodeling of the ornamented surfaces. Sharpey’s fibers also suggest a keratinized covering. Study by Haldar & Ray: doi.org/10.1002/ar.7...

Happy #FossilFriday! This study shows that hindlimb morphology can help distinguish Rhea americana and Rhea pennata. Tarsometatarsal features are especially diagnostic, like trochlear configuration. Study by Picasso, Acosta Hospitaleche & Quaggi: doi.org/10.1002/ar.7...

Happy #FossilFriday! New research on Late Triassic traversodontid Siriusgnathus niemeyerorum reveals a robust humerus and scapulocoracoid, suggesting a “sprawling” posture, and shedding light on cynodont locomotion. Study by Martins & Kerber: doi.org/10.1002/ar.7...

Having fun representing @anatrecord.bsky.social at #IFAA2026! #Anatomy2026

#IFAA2026, stop by our booth to say hi and learn about publishing in the @anatomyorg.bsky.social journals! #Anatomy2026

Faster than terrestrial carnivores: our results suggest that craniomandibular function is achieved early in Harbor seals. Steinbach, Schaar & Böhmer @vertevo.bsky.social 2026 @anatrecord.bsky.social Postnatal craniomandibular growth in Harbor #seals (Phoca vitulina vitulina) doi.org/10.1002/ar.7...

You are (influenced by) what you eat. Esophagus of storks & common buzzards show differences in tissues, gland distribution, & mucus composition. Storks = extensive glands & mix of mucopolysaccharides; buzzards = compact epithelium & distinct mucus patterns Aksu et al.: doi.org/10.1002/ar.7...

Harbor seals may be born ready for life in the water—but their skulls keep growing for years. In a study of 152 harbor seals, the craniomandibular system was found to reach functional performance early, then develop gradually, unlike terrestrial carnivores Steinbach et al.: doi.org/10.1002/ar.7...

🐍 MicroCT of reed snakes (Calamariidae) reveals they lack paired haemapophyses found in all other caenophidian snakes—living & fossil. They possess distinctive haemal keels, a newly identified diagnostic feature that may be linked to their burrowing lifestyle Lizak et al.: doi.org/10.1002/ar.7...

Pleased to share our latest special issue: Feeding biomechanics in vertebrates & beyond! The issue brings together studies spanning insects, fishes & mammals to explore feeding biomechanics anatomypubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/19328494... Guest Editors: Böhmer & Winkler

African wild dog (Lycaon pictus) paper now in @anatrecord.bsky.social's Feeding Biomechanics Special Issue! Using dissection & diceCT, we show powerful bites aren't just about bigger muscles—muscle architecture, skull mechanics & fascia may be key🐺 anatomypubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/...