Objective

Re-evaluate the pathological lesions found on a gomphothere recovered from Quebrada Quereo (Late Pleistocene), Coquimbo region, Chile (31º55'41” S, 71º34'43” W, 20 masl).

Materials

227 axial and appendicular specimens from a young adult male individual (SGO.PV.267).

Methods

Macroscopic and radiographic analysis.

Results

Pathological conditions identified included asymmetries of a cervical vertebra and of thoracic vertebra 16, degenerative joint disease in thoracic and lumbar vertebrae, possible evidence of neoplastic lesions within the bodies of three thoracic vertebrae (possibly hemangiomas), and fusion at thoracic vertebrae 15 and 16, suggesting the presence of spondyloarthropathy.

Conclusions

The original diagnosis of traumatic lesions on this specimen is unsupported. The re-evaluation identified the presence of developmental defects, degenerative joint disease, possible neoplastic lesions, and spondyloartropathy.

Significance

The present analysis adds data to the sparse paleopathological record of South American gomphotheres.

Limitations

Taphonomic alteration of some skeletal elements, as well as the presence of an incomplete individual, limits the ability to determine the etiology of some of the lesions identified.

Suggestions for further research

Researchers are encouraged to re-examine specimens curated in museums in order to identify pathological conditions that might have been overlooked or might benefit from re-evaluation.

中文翻译：

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智利gomphothere（Proboscidea：Gomphotheriidae）的古病理分析。

目的

重新评估从智利科金博地区的Quebrada Quereo（晚更新世）恢复的一头线虫身上发现的病理病变（31º55'41” S，71º34'43” W，20 masl）。

用料

来自一个成年男性的227个轴向和阑尾标本（SGO.PV.267）。

方法

宏观和射线照相分析。

结果

确定的病理状况包括颈椎和胸椎16的不对称性，胸椎和腰椎的退行性关节疾病，三个胸椎体内可能发生肿瘤性病变的证据（可能是血管瘤）以及胸椎15和16融合。提示存在脊柱关节炎。

结论

该标本上的创伤性病变的原始诊断不受支持。重新评估确定存在发育缺陷，退行性关节疾病，可能的肿瘤性病变和脊椎病。

意义

本分析将数据添加到南美gomphotheres的稀疏古病理记录中。

局限性

一些骨骼元素的转录改变以及不完整个体的存在限制了确定某些已鉴定病变的病因的能力。

进一步研究的建议

鼓励研究人员重新检查在博物馆中策划的标本，以识别可能被忽视或可能从重新评估中受益的病理状况。