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Bone histology and microanatomy of neck and dorsal vertebrae, a dorsal rib, and osteoderms from different body regions of Eusaurosphargis aff. dalsassoi from Winterswijk, The Netherlands, are studied by petrographic thin sections and micro-computed tomographic (μCT) data. Osteohistology in the axial elements differs from that of marine reptiles and corroborates a terrestrial or semiaquatic life style for Eusaurosphargis aff. dalsassoi. Not only the outer shape and overall microanatomy of the osteoderms, but also the association and attachment of the osteoderms to the underlying endoskeletal element (i.e., cervical vertebra, rib, appendicular element) vary depending on body region. Furthermore, chondroid bone is identified in the osteoderms of Eusaurosphargis aff. dalsassoi, which is the oldest evidence of this tissue in osteoderms of an extinct tetrapod. For comparison, μCT data of two neural arches tentatively identifiable as pertaining to the enigmatic Middle Triassic Saurosphargis voltzi (the holotype and only specimen of this taxon is considered lost) could be included. They share with Eusaurosphargis aff. dalsassoi the elongated transverse processes and a general similar microstructure, but also present an anteroposteriorly broadened bony sheath of the transverse process in ventral view, which is absent in Eusaurosphargis aff. dalsassoi.

The status of Proneusticosaurus silesiacus from the Lower Muschelkalk (lower Anisian) of Poland is controversially discussed. Its femur was histologically sampled to learn more about its taxonomic affinities and life style. It shows a reduced central medullary cavity surrounded by a narrow medullary region and followed by a thick compact cortex, displaying strong osteosclerosis. The tissue type can be summarized as lamellar-zonal. The inner third of the cortex consists of well vascularized parallel-fibred bone and is interpreted as a phase of juvenile growth, whereas the middle and outer cortex is made of highly organized parallel-fibred to lamellar bone. Except for the inner cortex and local accumulations of longitudinally primary osteons in the middle cortex, the femur is widely avascular. The cortex of P. silesiacus is regularly stratified by rest lines. Altogether seven annual growth cycles are counted. The very low growth rate of P. silesiacus, as deduced from tissue type, makes taxonomical affinities to Nothosaurus spp. or basal pistosauroids (i.e., humeri of aff. Cymatosaurus sp.) very unlikely. Proneusticosaurus silesiacus femoral histology does also not match any of the here studied femora of Eosauropterygia indet. Proneusticosaurus silesiacus shares similar low growth rates, the osteosclerotic femur, as well as pachyostotic vertebrae and ribs with the pachypleurosaurs Dactylosaurus gracilis and Neusticosaurus spp. and with the nothosaur Lariosaurus sp. These features are, however, most likely convergent and reflect the degree of secondary aquatic adaptation in shallow marine inhabitants. The high organized and low vascularized tissue, the implied low growth rate, the plesiomorphic femur morphology, and the strongly inclined zygapophyses of the vertebrae (contra roughly horizontal zygapophyses in other Eosauropterygia), makes P. silesiacus unique and evidence that this genus represents a valid genus within early Eosauropterygia. Proneusticosaurus silesiacus might represent one of the most basal members of Eosauropterygia so far known.