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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? -
From the album: Muncie Creek Shale Phosphatic Nodules
Currently being donated and Identified. Will update on this specimen if this is a new species and its identification.-
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Following my post yesterday, I’ve had an excellent day at The Henry Royce Institute at Manchester University. I’ve been trying to scan a dinosaur skull in a hard nodule, which is proving difficult due the density of the matrix. The scan data is being number crunched over night and hopefully I’ll get to see a 3D rendering of what’s in the nodule. If not then we will put a more powerful X Ray head on the machine and try again in the new year. I also took along an iguanodon braincase from The Isle of Wight. This is the 3D X Ray Tomography Scanner I used. This is the braincase mounted ready for scanning. This is the start of the scan. The dark area is the “brain area”. And the light area is the braincase. The sample is sat on a mount and placed on a table. The table is then slowly rotated whilst numerous x rays are taken. Each scan takes about 4 hours. The data is made up of multiple slices through the sample. The data can then be stacked and manipulated to make 3D models or just show slices at specific points. A very exciting day and it’s a big thank you from me to Tristan and Elizabeth at Henry Royce for all their help. Further work to do.
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Anyone Good with Fish braincases/Skull Material? (Some are very incomplete) ( Missouri )
Samurai posted a topic in Fossil ID
Location: Missouri Formation: Muncie Creek Shale Time Period: Pennsylvanian I have found many things in the phosphatic nodules from the Muncie Creek Shale formation ranging from scales, bones, coprolites and in some cases braincases or skull material however I have found very little of braincases and I was curious if someone could identify what they either belong to or in case of specimen #1 if it is indeed a braincase I was also wondering if someone could possibly link me to some material relating to Pennsylvanian period braincases as It may help me to better identify such material Specimen #1 I posted this one to this site quite some time ago but never got a response to what it was but I am not 100% sure if its braincase or just some other bone material or even the aforementioned coprolite Unfortunately for these last 2 specimens they are incomplete due to my inexperience 2 years ago when I first cracked them open. I neglected to collect the rest of the pieces hence why I have hesitated to show them on this site for the shame of losing something potentially scientifically valuable, nevertheless I was wondering if they could be identified Specimen #2 This one is 100% a braincase but i do not know what it belongs too and wish for identification if possible from the fragment i have Specimen #3 I only think the one above might be skull material is due to how it looks similar to my other more obvious skull/braincase that I own here is a photo of the one I'm describing, which i did have all pieces for: -
From the album: Muncie Creek Shale Phosphatic Nodules
I contacted someone who I had sent my prior braincase too and they have been busy since the pandemic started hence it stays in my collection till im either contacted again or if someone else does other half: Other pictures:-
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I’m not sure if this has already been shared or not but a recent paper discussing the braincases of two Daspletosaurus specimens show more variation then previously thought. from the paper: “For sheer complexity, braincases are generally considered anatomically conservative. However, recent research on the braincases of tyrannosaurids have revealed extensive morphological variations. This line of inquiry has its root in Dale Russell’s review of tyrannosaurids in which he established Daspletosaurus torosus — a large tyrannosaurine from the Campanian of southern Alberta. In the wake of systematic revisions to tyrannosaurines previously assigned to Daspletosaurus, one potentially distinct species remains undescribed. This paper describes and compares a braincase referable to this species with that of the holotype for Daspletosaurus torosus using computerized-tomography-based reconstructions. The two braincases have numerous differences externally and internally. The specimen of Daspletosaurus sp. has a bottlenecked olfactory tract, short and vertical lagena, and a developed ascending column of the anterior tympanic recess. The holotype of Daspletosaurus torosus has many unusual traits, including an anteriorly positioned trochlear root, elongate common carotid canal, distinct chamber of the basisphenoid recess, asymmetry in the internal basipterygoid aperture, and laterally reduced but medially expanded subcondylar recess. This comparison also identified characters that potentially unite the two species of Daspletosaurus, including deep midbrain flexures in the endocasts. However, many character variations in the braincases are known in other tyrannosaurids to correlate with body size and maturity, or represent individual variations. Therefore, taxonomic and phylogenetic signals can be isolated from background variations in a more comprehensive approach by using additional specimens. New information on the two braincases of Daspletosaurus is consistent with the emerging view of tyrannosaurid braincases as highly variable, ontogenetically dynamic character complexes.” the paper: https://cdnsciencepub.com/doi/10.1139/cjes-2020-0185
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From the album: Muncie Creek Shale Phosphatic Nodules
Got lucky and found this while cracking open phosphatic nodules! -
Witmer Labs requested the ROM's 3D model of the tyrannosaurid dinosaur Gorgosaurus (ROM 1247) for use in the Smithsonian's NMNH new dinosaur hall. Link attached if your interested in viewing it. https://sketchfab.com/models/bcc4f64edc93403ea006897cbba6da22 Witmer Labs used it as part of our 2009 study of tyrannosaur braincase, brain, ear, & air sinus evolution: The study looked at the braincase of Gorgosaurus, Trex and the Cleveland Nanotyrannus skull. Link is attached. Interesting paper if you have not see it, concluded that the Clevelend Nanotyrannus braincase is " Perhaps the most remarkable attribute of the braincase of CMNH 7541 is simply how different it is, and not just from T. rex, but also from other tyrannosaurs. As just noted, the entire skull and endocast are unique among tyrannosaurs in being very strongly down-turned. Aspects of the cranial endocast are very unusual, such as the rostrally offset pituitary fossa and orbital cranial nerves." (link: http://bit.ly/2BoKIfx) bit.ly/2BoKIfx
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Braincase of a bony fish.
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From the album: North Sulphur River Texas
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