Feature scales

'''Feature scales''' are enlarged scales found on various reptiles. Despite their close resemblance to osteoderms, they have no boney component to them.<ref name="czerkas1997"/> Examples of reptiles that are known to possess feature scales are iguanas,<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=Anoles, Iguanas, and Relatives: Iguanidae {{!}} Encyclopedia.com|url=https://www.encyclopedia.com/science/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/anoles-iguanas-and-relatives-iguanidae#CAPE_SPINYTAIL_IGUANA_Ctenosaura_hemilopha_SPECIES_ACCOUNTS|access-date=2021-03-31|website=www.encyclopedia.com}}</ref> and many non-avian dinosaurs such as ''Carnotaurus'',<ref name="czerkas1997">{{cite book |last1=Czerkas |first1=Stephen A. |last2=Czerkas|first2= Sylvia J. |chapter=The Integument and Life Restoration of ''Carnotaurus'' |title=Dinofest International |editor-last=Wolberg|editor-first= D. I. |editor2-last=Stump|editor2-first= E. |editor3-last=Rosenberg|editor3-first= G. D. |publisher=Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia |year=1997 |pages=155–158}}</ref> ''Brachylophosaurus'',<ref name="murphy2006">{{cite book|last1=Murphy|first1=N.L.|last2=Trexler|first2=D.|last3=Thompson|first3=M.|author-link2 = David Trexler|year=2006|chapter="Leonardo," a mummified ''Brachylophosaurus'' from the Judith River Formation|editor-last=Carpenter|editor-first=K.|title=Horns and Beaks: Ceratopsian and Ornithopod Dinosaurs|publisher=Indiana University Press|pages=117–133|isbn=0-253-34817-X}}</ref> diplodocids,<ref name="Czerkas1993B">{{cite journal | last1 = Czerkas | first1 = S.A. | year = 1993 | title = Discovery of dermal spines reveals a new look for sauropod dinosaurs | journal = Geology | volume = 20 | issue = 12| pages = 1068–1070 | doi=10.1130/0091-7613(1992)020<1068:dodsra>2.3.co;2 | bibcode = 1992Geo....20.1068C}}</ref> and various ceratopsians.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Bell |first1=Phil R. |last2=Hendrickx |first2=Christophe |last3=Pittman |first3=Michael |last4=Kaye |first4=Thomas G. |last5=Mayr |first5=Gerald |date=August 12, 2022 |title=The exquisitely preserved integument of ''Psittacosaurus'' and the scaly skin of ceratopsian dinosaurs |journal=Communications Biology |language=en |volume=5 |issue=1 |page=809 |doi=10.1038/s42003-022-03749-3 |issn=2399-3642 |pmc=9374759 |pmid=35962036}}</ref> The term was coined by Australian paleontologist Phil R. Bell in 2012 in reference to the midline scutes of the hadrosaurid ''Saurolophus''.<ref name=bell2012>{{cite journal | last1 = Bell | first1 = P.R. | year = 2012 | title = Standardized Terminology and Potential Taxonomic Utility for Hadrosaurid Skin Impressions: A Case Study for ''Saurolophus'' from Canada and Mongolia | journal = PLOS ONE | volume = 7 | issue = 2| article-number = e31295 | doi = 10.1371/journal.pone.0031295 | pmid = 22319623 | pmc=3272031| bibcode = 2012PLoSO...731295B | doi-access = free }}</ref>

[[File:AA Iguana Fot Ars Summum.JPG|upright|thumb|right|The feature scales on the green iguana form bumps on the lateral sides of the neck, and dorsal spines along the midline. Large feature scales (subtympanic plates) are also present just below the jaw.<ref name="Samuelson">{{Citation|last=Samuelson|first=Phillip|title=The Lizard King|date=1995-06-01|journal=Reptiles Magazine|volume=3|issue=2|pages=64–84|bibcode=1996SciAm.274f..26M|doi=10.1038/scientificamerican0696-26a}}</ref><ref name="czerkas1997"/>]]

Feature scales are distinguished from basement scales (typical, small scales that make up most of the overall scales), by their notable size difference, being significantly wider and taller.<ref name="bell2012"/>

== See also == * Scale (zoology) * Osteoderm * Reptile scales * Scute

==References== {{reflist}}

Category:Animal anatomy