Jump to content

T. rex ancestor had an S-shaped brain, fossil reveals


Thecosmilia Trichitoma

Recommended Posts

Here's the paper that article is reporting on, although it's paywalled.

 

Kundrat et al. (2018) Evolutionary disparity in the endoneurocranial configuration between small and gigantic tyrannosauroids

ABSTRACT: In extinct archosaurs, brain proportions have been inferred from the morphology of fossilized endocasts. Here we provide the first neurocranial and paleoneurological description of the basal, small-bodied tyrannosauroid Dilong paradoxus compared with larger tyrannosaurids, like Tyrannosaurus rex. Dilongdiffers from other tyrannosauroids in the proportions of cerebral and cerebellar regions, morphology of venous sinuses, and superimposed position of the forebrain relative to the rest of the endocast. Whereas endocasts of Tyrannosaurus show a more linear configuration and likely contained within a thick intersticial space, the endocast of Dilong indicates an S-shaped brain protected by thinner meninges. Based on our statistic analysis and comparisons with modern crocodilians, we hypothesize that increased body size likely imposed a new spatial configuration for development of the central nervous system during the evolution of gigantism in tyrannosaurs.

  • I found this Informative 2

If you're a fossil nut from Palos Verdes, San Pedro, Redondo Beach, or Torrance, feel free to shoot me a PM!

 

 

Mosasaurus_hoffmannii_skull_schematic.png

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...