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A complete dinosaur brain was first reconstructed by scientists after a “perfect skeleton” was found and the brain weighed less than a pea.
Paleontologists from the Federal University of Santa Maria in Brazil used computer images to reveal the size and inner workings of the Buriolestes brain.
The team was able to determine the size of the brain and digitally reconstruct the gray matter thanks to a perfectly preserved skeleton that included the skull.
The creature wandered the Earth 233 million years ago, was a meat eater and athletic, skilled hunter who had better eyesight than smell.
Through the use of computer images, the researchers were able to reveal regions involved in coordination, sight, smell, intelligence, and even reproduction.
The extraordinary discovery sheds new light on the evolution of the largest land animals that ever lived, although this was no bigger than a fox.
A complete dinosaur brain was first reconstructed by scientists after a ‘perfect skeleton’ was found and the brain weighed less than a pea
Called Buriolestes schultzi, he weighed about a stone and although small, he was evil, according to lead author Dr. Rodrigo Muller, adding that he wasn’t as smart as a T-Rex.
Muller said this was an important discovery because “the brain is a window into one’s behavior and intelligence.”
“Buriolestes’ brain is relatively small, weighing about 1.5 grams (0.05 ounces), which is slightly lighter than a pea,” Muller said.
He added that the actual brain shape is also primitive, similar to the brain of a crocodile.
‘Furthermore, the presence of well-developed structures in the cerebellum indicates the ability to follow moving prey,’ he added.
On the contrary, the olfactory sense was not good. Burioleste hunted and tracked prey based on keen eyesight rather than smell.
Paleontologists from the Federal University of Santa Maria, Brazil, used computer images to reveal the size and inner workings of the Buriolestes brain
Its sharp, curved teeth and claws would have torn lizards and primitive mammals to pieces, as well as the young of other dinosaurs. He also ate insects.
Buriolestes himself was kicked out – from the “killing machine” Gnathovorax. The ten foot tall dinosaur was the predator at the height of the period.
Soft organs, such as the brain, do not survive fossilization. Then Muller and his team used CT scans to examine the internal cranial cavities.
“We access isolated sections of the skull, filling in the gaps in each. When we put these regions together we get a 3D representation of space, or endocast, “he said.
The X-rays mapped the cerebellum which controls coordination, balance and posture, as well as the optic lobe, the center of visual processing.
They also revealed the olfactory bulb and the tract responsible for smell and the brain that triggers intelligence and conscious thoughts.
The pituitary gland at the base of the brain was also drawn. It produces hormones that fuel growth, blood pressure and reproduction.
Dr Muller said, “The technique requires well-preserved, tissue-enveloping cranial boxes,” adding that it’s the top and back of the skull.
“Buriolestes dates back to the dawn of the dinosaurs,” he explained.
‘Until now, the complete skulls of the world’s oldest dinosaurs were unknown. He helped to reveal the secrets of his way of life. ‘
The animal measured about four feet from head to tail. It had a long neck, razor-sharp teeth, and three long claws on each of its four limbs. It ran on two legs.
His remains were unearthed in 2015 during a rainforest expedition in southern Brazil led by Dr. Muller, which he called a “notorious dinosaur cemetery.”
The team was able to determine brain size and digitally reconstruct gray matter thanks to a perfectly preserved skeleton that included the skull.
The exact location was not revealed by the team, but was described as a “ravine with other fossil skeletons on a farm”.
Buriolestes lived during the Triassic, when South America was still part of the supercontinent called Pangea.
Despite being a carnivore, it is the first member of the plant-eating sauropods, weighing up to 100 tons and reaching 110 feet in length.
Dr Muller said: “The reconstruction allows us to analyze the evolution of the brains of the largest land animals that ever lived.”
One of the most striking trends is the increase in olfactory bulbs. These were relatively small in the Buriolestes, but became very large in the sauropods.
Soft organs, such as the brain, do not survive fossilization. Then Muller and his team used CT scans to examine the internal cranial cavities
“The development of an elevated sense of smell could be related to the acquisition of more complex social behavior seen in different vertebrate groups,” Muller said.
Alternatively, it was also observed that high olfactory abilities played an important role in foraging, helping animals to better discriminate between digestible and indigestible plants.
“Finally, another supposed explanation for the better smell in sauropods is based on the ability to pick up the odor of predators.”
The pituitary gland is also related to size – and is proportionally small in Buriolestes, On the other hand, it is very large in giant sauropods.
Dr Muller said: ‘So, we can associate gland development with sauropod gigantism.’
The amazing discovery sheds new light on the evolution of the largest land animals that ever lived, although this was no bigger than a fox
The study published in the Journal of Anatomy also calculated Buriolestes’ intelligence based on brain volume and body weight.
“The values obtained are higher than those of giant sauropods – such as Diplodocus and Brachiosaurus – suggesting a decrease in the size of the brain relative to the body,” he said.
“It has changed over time, not only in general morphology, but also in neurological functions. The anatomy of the brain changes along with the body plan of these animals.
“It’s interesting because many other lineages have an increase in this phenomenon, known as encephalization, over time.
“However, Buriolestes’ ‘cognition’ is inferior to that of the theropod dinosaurs, the lineage that includes Jurassic Park’s T Rex and Velociraptor – and the birds.”
According to most experts, birds are “living dinosaurs”. Their key skeletal features, as well as nesting and hatching behaviors, actually emerged first in some dinosaurs.
The findings were published in the Journal of Anatomy.
SAUROPODS: LONG NECK DINOSAURS AND SMALL BRAIN
Sauropods were the first successful group of herbivorous dinosaurs, dominating most terrestrial ecosystems for over 140 million years, from the late Triassic to the late Cretaceous.
They had long necks and tails and relatively small skulls and brains.
They extended up to 130 feet (40 meters) and weighed up to 80 tons (80,000 kg), 14 times the weight of an African elephant.
Sauropods were the first successful group of herbivorous dinosaurs, dominating most terrestrial ecosystems for over 140 million years, from the Late Triassic to the Late Cretaceous
They were widespread: their remains were found on all continents except Antarctica.
They had their nostrils high on their skulls, instead of being at the tip of the snout like those of so many other terrestrial vertebrates.
Some fossils show that these nostril openings were so far in the skull that they were very close to the eye openings.
Sauropods such as Diplodocus began to diversify in the Middle Jurassic around 180 million years ago.
Source: University of California Museum of Paleontology
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