Endocast of Brecocase and Thecodontos ur interest Anticus. From the CT scan of the braincase fossil, 3-D models of braincase and endocast were generated and studied. Credit: Thecodontos ur interest silhouette from Phylopic.org, created by Antonio Belle with Byronder.com
A leading reconstruction of the brain in the early dinosaurs to roam the earth has shed new light on its potential diet and ability to move quickly.
Research, led by University of Bristol, Used advanced imaging and 3-D modeling techniques to digitally rebuild the brain Thikodontos ur interest, Known as the Bristol Dinosaur, due to its origins in the UK city. Paleontologists have found Thikodontos ur interest Eats meat, in contrast to its huge long-term back relatives Diplok ocus x And Brontos ur interestIs, which feeds only on plants.
Antonio Bellel, lead author of the study, published today Zoological Journal of the Linen Society, Said: “Our analysis Thikodontos ur interest The brain found many interesting features, some of which were quite surprising. While his later relatives roamed thoughtfully on all fours, our findings suggest that the species has been walking on two legs and has sometimes been carnivorous. “
Thikodontos ur interest Lived late Triassic Age was about 205 million years ago and the size of a large dog. Although its remains were found in the 1800s, many of which have been carefully preserved at the University of Bristol, scientists have only recently been able to deploy new information without destroying imaging software. Digitized out the bone from a CT scan to produce digital-D models, identifying anatomical details about its brain and inner ear that were not previously visible in the fossil.
Development of endocasts in Soropodomorphs, close relatives of Thecodontososa juice. This group of dinosaurs underwent significant changes in the shape of the brain and inner ear during their evolution, which may have been related to various aspects of their biology. Credit: Antonio Bellell
“Even though the real brain lasts a long time, software allows us to recreate the shape of the brain and inner ear by the dimensions of the cavities left behind. No brain Thikodontos ur interest Beautifully preserved so we compared it with other dinosaurs, common features and some that are special Thikodontos ur interest, ”Antonio said. “His brain cast also showed details of the flocular lobes located at the back of the brain, which are important for balance. His large size suggests he was a bipadal. This composition is also associated with balance and control of eye and throat movement, suggests Thikodontos ur interest Was relatively agile and could keep a steady gaze when walking fast. “
although Thikodontos ur interest Known for being relatively small and agile, her diet has been discussed.
A PhD student from the University of Bristol School of Earth Sciences, Antonio, said: “Our analysis involved involving the head in certain parts of the brain and the eyes and gaze in the movement. This can also mean Thikodontos ur interest Occasionally catches prey, although the morphology of its teeth indicates that the plant is a major component of its diet. It is possible that he adopted omnivorous habits. ”
Researchers were also able to reconstruct the inner ear so that they could estimate how well it could hear compared to other dinosaurs. His hearing frequency was relatively high, which led to some sort of social complexity – the ability to recognize the diverse squeaks and honks of different animals.
Mike Benton, co-author of the study, said: “It’s great to see how new technologies allow us to learn more about how this tiny dinosaur lived 200 million years ago.
“We started working Thikodontos ur interest In 1990, and it symbolizes the Bristol Dinosaur Project, an educational outreach scheme where students go to talk about science in local schools. We are very fortunate to have so many preserved fossils of such important dinosaurs here in Bristol. This has helped us to understand many aspects of biology Thikodontos ur interest, But there are still many questions about this species that need to be explored. “
Reference: Antonio Balel, J. Logan King, James M. Nienan, Emily J. Refield, and Michael J. Benton, December 14, 2020 Zoological Journal of the Linen Society.
DOI: 10.1093 / Zulinin / Zlae 157
The research was funded by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), the Leverhullam Trust and the Royal Society.
