Note that the pdf is now available for free from Michael Benton's link:
On Mon, Dec 14, 2020 at 7:54 AM Ben Creisler <bcreisler@gmail.com> wrote:
Ben CreislerA new paper:=====
Antonio Ballell, J. Logan King, James M. Neenan, Emily J. Rayfield & Michael J. Benton (2020)
The braincase, brain and palaeobiology of the basal sauropodomorph dinosaur Thecodontosaurus antiquus.
Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, zlaa157 (advance online publication)
doi: https://doi.org/10.1093/zoolinnean/zlaa157
https://academic.oup.com/zoolinnean/advance-article-abstract/doi/10.1093/zoolinnean/zlaa157/6032720
Sauropodomorph dinosaurs underwent drastic changes in their anatomy and ecology throughout their evolution. The Late Triassic Thecodontosaurus antiquus occupies a basal position within Sauropodomorpha, being a key taxon for documenting how those morphofunctional transitions occurred. Here, we redescribe the braincase osteology and reconstruct the neuroanatomy of Thecodontosaurus, based on computed tomography data. The braincase of Thecodontosaurus shares the presence of medial basioccipital components of the basal tubera and a U-shaped basioccipitalâparabasisphenoid suture with other basal sauropodomorphs and shows a distinct combination of characters: a straight outline of the braincase floor, an undivided metotic foramen, an unossified gap, large floccular fossae, basipterygoid processes perpendicular to the cultriform process in lateral view and a rhomboid foramen magnum. We reinterpret these braincase features in the light of new discoveries in dinosaur anatomy. Our endocranial reconstruction reveals important aspects of the palaeobiology of Thecodontosaurus, supporting a bipedal stance and cursorial habits, with adaptations to retain a steady head and gaze while moving. We also estimate its hearing frequency and range based on endosseous labyrinth morphology. Our study provides new information on the pattern of braincase and endocranial evolution in Sauropodomorpha.
========News:
Research reveals unexpected insights into early dinosaur Thecodontosaurusâ brain, eating habits and agility