Researchers reconstruct the first complete brain of one of the oldest dinosaurs 3 November 2020 from the Universidade Federal de Santa Maria and Mario Bronzati from the Universidade de São Paulo. The brain of Buriolestes schultzi is relatively small and weighed approximately 1.5 grams, which is slightly lighter than a pea. The shape was primitive, resembling the general morphology of a crocodile brain. In addition, the presence of well-developed structures in the cerebellum indicates the capability to track moving prey. Conversely, the olfactory sense was not high; therefore, it is more likely that Buriolestes schultzi hunted and tracked prey based on optical capability rather than its olfactory sense. Buriolestes schultzi brain. Credit: Márcio L. Castro The study of the brain of extinct organisms sheds lights on their behaviors. However, soft tissues, like the brain, are not usually preserved for long periods. Hence, researchers reconstruct the brains of dinosaurs by analyzing the cranial cavities under computed tomography. It demands well-preserved braincases, which is the region that envelops the brain tissues. To date, complete and well- preserved neurocrania from the oldest dinosaurs worldwide have not been found. Buriolestes preying on a small lepidosauromorph in a Triassic landscape from Brazil. Credit: Márcio L. Castro In 2015, a Brazilian paleontologist from the Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Dr. Rodrigo Temp Müller, unearthed an exceptionally well- preserved skeleton from a fossiliferous locality in Despite the carnivorous feeding behavior of this southern Brazil. The skeleton, approximately 233 dinosaur, it belongs to the lineage of giant, long- million years old (Triassic period), belongs to a necked, herbivorous sauropods, the largest land small carnivorous dinosaur named Buriolestes animals that ever lived. However, Buriolestes schultzi and the entire braincase was preserved. schultzi is considered the earliest member of this Now, Brazilian researchers have reconstructed the lineage. So, the new brain reconstruction allows first complete brain of one of the oldest dinosaurs researchers to analyze the brain evolution of this worldwide. impressive lineage. The study was published in Journal of Anatomy and performed by Rodrigo T. Müller, José D. Ferreira, Flávio A. Pretto, and Leonardo Kerber 1 / 3 Castro and Rodrigo Temp Müller The scientists also calculated the cognitive capability, or intelligence, of Buriolestes schultzi based on the brain volume and body weight. The values obtained are higher than that of the giant sauropods, like Diplodocus and Brachiosaurus, suggesting a decrease in encephalization in the lineage. This is interesting because several other Buriolestes schultzi brain. Credit: Márcio L. Castro lineages present an increase in the encephalization through time. Nevertheless, the cognitive capability of Buriolestes schultzi is lower than that of theropod dinosaurs, the lineage that includes Tyrannosaurus, One of the most conspicuous trends is the increase Velociraptor, and birds. of the olfactory bulbs. Whereas these structures responsible for the sense of smell are relatively More information: Alex Schiller Aires et al. small in Buriolestes schultzi, they become very Development and evolution of the notarium in large in later sauropods and closely related forms. Pterosauria, Journal of Anatomy (2020). DOI: The development of a strong sense of smell could 10.1111/joa.13319 be related to the acquisition of a more complex social behavior, which relies on the olfactory sense in several vertebrate groups. Alternatively, it has also been observed that high olfactory capabilities Provided by Universidade Federal de Santa Maria played an important role in foraging, helping animals to better discriminate between digestible and indigestible plants. Finally, another putative explanation for the increase in the olfactory sense of sauropods relies on the capability to detect predator chemical cues. Buriolestes schultzi brain and skull. Credit: Márcio L. 2 / 3 APA citation: Researchers reconstruct the first complete brain of one of the oldest dinosaurs (2020, November 3) retrieved 5 August 2021 from https://phys.org/news/2020-11-reconstruct-brain-oldest- dinosaurs.html This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only. 3 / 3 Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org).