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Could Tyrannosaurus rex have created unique cultures
Joseph Fossil posted a topic in Questions & Answers
I recently found an extremely interesting paper published in the Journal of Comparative Neurology a few days ago by Professor Suzana Herculano-Houzel of Vanderbilt University about the neuron activity within the brain of the Dinosaur Tyrannosaurus rex (Western North America, Maastrichtian Cretaceous 68.0-66.0 million years ago). The study states there is evidence (based on the size of of the Cerebrum section of its brain and the hypothetical amount of neurons (of which for the study M=Millions of Neurons) present in the brain based on its size) Tyrannosaurus rex had between 2,207-3,289M telencephalic neurons in the Cerebrum section of its brain and was capable of problem solving and even forming unique cultures. Herculano‐Houzel, S. (2023). Theropod dinosaurs had primate‐like numbers of telencephalic neurons. Journal of Comparative Neurology. https://doi.org/10.1002/cne.25453 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/cne.25453 Usually I'm a bit skeptical when claims like this are made, but for Tyrannosaurus rex, I'm not surprised the least bit. It's been known for quite a while the brain to body ratio of Tyrannosaurus rex is larger than that of most other dinosaurs at 1.0 kilogram in weight (with only the Raptor dinosaur Troodon likely having a larger brain to body ratio among non-avian Theropod dinosaurs). Brain Image Credit: Ashley Morhardt https://www.earthtouchnews.com/discoveries/fossils/theres-a-lot-to-learn-about-dinosaur-brains/ Larsson, H.C.E. (2001). Endocranial anatomy of Carcharodontosaurus saharicus (Theropoda: Allosauroidea) and its implications for theropod brain evolution. In: Mesozoic vertebrate life, eds Tanke D.H; Carpenter K; Skrepnick M.W. Indiana University Press, 19–33 https://anatomypubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ar.20983 The recent study A large portion of its brain was devoted to smell, but I can easily see how the size of its brain could accommodate enough neuron activity for problem solving skills and even forming cultures. What do you guys think? What do you think of the study and what would Tyrannosaurus cultures have looked like?