Natural Flexible Dermal Armor

[digit]

Was doing some internet research to see if I could find a means of estimating the size of a gator from one of its osteoderms (fruitless so far) and came across an interesting (but unrelated) article that I've saved for when I have more time to read. Since fossil osteoderms from armadillos, alligators and even gars are commonly found while screening for fossils in the Peace River (and other localities) I thought this scientific article on the various forms of protective armor might be of interest to some on this forum. Here's the link:

http://www.meyersgroup.ucsd.edu/papers/journals/Meyers%20371.pdf

Cheers.

-Ken