Dinosaur palaeoneurology: an evolving science DOI Creative Commons
Amy M. Balanoff

Biology Letters, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 20(12)

Published: Dec. 1, 2024

Our fascination with dinosaur brains and their capabilities essentially began the first discovery. The history of this study is a useful reflection palaeoneurology as whole its relationship to more inclusive evolutionary neuroscience. I argue that imbued high heuristic potential, but one whose realization requires overcoming certain constraints. These constraints include need for stable phylogenetic framework, methods efficient precise endocast construction, fossil researchers who are steeped in neuroscience perspective. progress has already been made these areas sets stage mature palaeoneurology—not only capable being informed by discoveries drives such discoveries. draw from work on size, shape, behavioural correlates developmental role brain outline current advances palaeoneurology. My examples largely taken theropods centre questions related origin birds unique locomotory capabilities. hope, however, exemplify potential other groups, utilizing dinosaur–bird lineage parallel model par mammals studying encephalization.

Language: Английский

Ontogenetic Changes in Endocranial Anatomy in Gorgosaurus libratus (Theropoda: Tyrannosauridae) Provide Insight Into the Evolution of the Tyrannosauroid Endocranium DOI Creative Commons
Jared T. Voris, François Therrien,

Ryan C. Ridgely

et al.

The Journal of Comparative Neurology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 533(5)

Published: April 28, 2025

ABSTRACT Over the past two decades, increased accessibility to computed tomography (CT) scanners has greatly facilitated documentation of endocranium in numerous extinct theropod taxa. However, most these studies have focused on morphology mature individuals, thus changes or variation through ontogeny theropods remains largely unknown. The current study sheds light endocranial anatomy eutyrannosaurian tyrannosauroid, Gorgosaurus libratus , both an ontogenetic and evolutionary context. Based CT scans six braincases, including those recently discovered juvenile we virtually reconstruct describe for a growth series G. . Despite considerable skull architecture, relatively few occurred These include subtle increase length hindbrain region endocast inflation tympanic sinus diverticula adults relative juveniles. Among significant is decrease distinctiveness brain endocasts as mature. exhibit better defined cerebral hemispheres, optic lobes, cerebella than larger more individuals. This suggests closer correspondence between tyrannosaurids, indicating individuals provides accurate representation structure its regions displays mix basal archosaurian traits derived coelurosaurian traits. More primitive features large olfactory bulbs tracts, posteroventrally oriented long axis cerebrum, posteriorly positioned whereas prominent flexure, somewhat enlarged cerebellum that at least partially separates left right lobes. An understanding acquisition such leading avian may be further elucidated via (more reflective structure/organization various regions) earlier‐diverging (e.g., Allosauroidea, Megalosauroidea, Coelophysoidea).

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Thought for food: the endothermic brain hypothesis DOI Creative Commons
Mathias Osvath, Pavel Němec, Stephen L. Brusatte

et al.

Trends in Cognitive Sciences, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Sept. 1, 2024

Language: Английский

Citations

1
Dinosaur palaeoneurology: an evolving science DOI Creative Commons
Amy M. Balanoff

Biology Letters, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 20(12)

Published: Dec. 1, 2024

Our fascination with dinosaur brains and their capabilities essentially began the first discovery. The history of this study is a useful reflection palaeoneurology as whole its relationship to more inclusive evolutionary neuroscience. I argue that imbued high heuristic potential, but one whose realization requires overcoming certain constraints. These constraints include need for stable phylogenetic framework, methods efficient precise endocast construction, fossil researchers who are steeped in neuroscience perspective. progress has already been made these areas sets stage mature palaeoneurology—not only capable being informed by discoveries drives such discoveries. draw from work on size, shape, behavioural correlates developmental role brain outline current advances palaeoneurology. My examples largely taken theropods centre questions related origin birds unique locomotory capabilities. hope, however, exemplify potential other groups, utilizing dinosaur–bird lineage parallel model par mammals studying encephalization.

Language: Английский

Citations

0