Skeletal and dental anomalies provide insights into insular vertebrate zoology and evolution in Plio-Holocene Menorca, Western Mediterranean

Abstract The examination of paleopathological abnormalities provides valuable insights into the biology of past species. Considering the particular selective pressures of islands, their faunas may exhibit anomalies distinct in type or prevalence compared with mainland relatives. Here, we report and describe 10 fossil remains showing pathological conditions from three insular vertebrates: Latonia sp. (Lissamphibia), Podarcis lilfordi (Lepidosauria), and Myotragus balearicus (Mammalia) (Pliocene-Quaternary; Menorca, Balearic Islands, Spain). Macro- and microscopic techniques were employed to diagnose the disease, determine etiology, and assess the cause of death. Our findings reveal: (i) predominantly healed fractures in Latonia; (ii) infections complicated by fibresceses (fibrous abscesses) in P. lilfordi; and (iii) neoplasms and probable congenital malformations in M. balearicus. These results represent the first paleopathological descriptions for Latonia and P. lilfordi, and the first identification of neoplasms in Myotragus. Certain diagnosed abnormalities are unique and rare, and have not been previously reported in either extinct or extant relatives. A review of pathological cases in insular taxa has revealed a higher prevalence of long-term health conditions, malnutrition-related defects and age-related disorders. By expanding biological knowledge of these species, our results also contribute to a broader understanding of vertebrate ecology under insular regimes through empirical observations in interdisciplinary research.