Therizinosaurs were among the strangest of all dinosaurs. Evolution drastically modified these descendants of carnivorous coelurosaurs into feathered, long-necked, tubby omnivores. And, thanks to a new PLoS One study by Stephen Lautenschlager and coauthors, we now know that these peculiar dinosaurs had finely-tuned senses of smell and hearing.
Dinosaur brains rotted away long ago. But the endocranial cavity of a dinosaur skull preserves the shape of the animal’s brain, providing paleontologists with an outline of the creature’s neuroanatomy. In the new study, Lautenschlager and collaborators CT-scanned the skull of Erlikosaurus andrewsi and partial braincases of Falcarius utahensis and Nothronychus mckinleyi to investigate how therizinosaurs sensed the Cretaceous world.
Contrary to what the researchers expected, Erlikosaurus apparently had a well-developed sense of smell. Previous research on dinosaur olfaction suggested that less finely-tuned scenting abilities accompanied shifts to omnivory and herbivory among lineages like the ostrich-ish ornithomimosaurs and unusual oviraptorsaurs. Since therizinosaurs are thought to be omnivores or herbivores, these dinosaurs either retained a refined sense of smell from their ancestors or evolved the ability as part of their foraging behavior. In fact, the authors suggest, therizinosaurs might have retained a good sense of smell so that they could track down the “highly odoriferous” flowers and fruiting plants that proliferated during the Cretaceous.
The therizinosaurs examined in the study also had relatively well-developed senses of hearing, and, despite lacking the visual acuity of their predatory relatives, apparently had brain specializations which indicate that Erlikosaurus and Nothronychus “were capable of keeping their gaze focused on a target during rapid head and neck movement.” This skill might have been useful in interactions between therizinosaurs during confrontations or courtship, the authors propose.
Altogether, the mix of unexpected brain features hint that therizinosaurs co-opted the brain anatomy of their ancestors. While the bodies of therizinosaurs underwent major changes as they became better adapted to a mixed diet of flesh and forage, their brains still retained hallmarks of their hypercarnivorous ancestry.
Reference:
Lautenschlager, S., Rayfield, E., Altangerel, P., Zanno, L., Witmer, L. 2012. The endocranial anatomy of the Therizinosauria and its implications for sensory and cognitive function. PLoS ONE 7, 12: e52289. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0052289
Go Further
Animals
- Octopuses have a lot of secrets. Can you guess 8 of them?
- Animals
- Feature
Octopuses have a lot of secrets. Can you guess 8 of them? - This biologist and her rescue dog help protect bears in the AndesThis biologist and her rescue dog help protect bears in the Andes
- An octopus invited this writer into her tank—and her secret worldAn octopus invited this writer into her tank—and her secret world
- Peace-loving bonobos are more aggressive than we thoughtPeace-loving bonobos are more aggressive than we thought
Environment
- Listen to 30 years of climate change transformed into haunting musicListen to 30 years of climate change transformed into haunting music
- This ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrificeThis ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrifice
- U.S. plans to clean its drinking water. What does that mean?U.S. plans to clean its drinking water. What does that mean?
- Food systems: supporting the triangle of food security, Video Story
- Paid Content
Food systems: supporting the triangle of food security - Will we ever solve the mystery of the Mima mounds?Will we ever solve the mystery of the Mima mounds?
History & Culture
- Strange clues in a Maya temple reveal a fiery political dramaStrange clues in a Maya temple reveal a fiery political drama
- How technology is revealing secrets in these ancient scrollsHow technology is revealing secrets in these ancient scrolls
- Pilgrimages aren’t just spiritual anymore. They’re a workout.Pilgrimages aren’t just spiritual anymore. They’re a workout.
- This ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrificeThis ancient society tried to stop El Niño—with child sacrifice
- This ancient cure was just revived in a lab. Does it work?This ancient cure was just revived in a lab. Does it work?
Science
- The unexpected health benefits of Ozempic and MounjaroThe unexpected health benefits of Ozempic and Mounjaro
- Do you have an inner monologue? Here’s what it reveals about you.Do you have an inner monologue? Here’s what it reveals about you.
- Jupiter’s volcanic moon Io has been erupting for billions of yearsJupiter’s volcanic moon Io has been erupting for billions of years
- This 80-foot-long sea monster was the killer whale of its timeThis 80-foot-long sea monster was the killer whale of its time
Travel
- How to plan an epic summer trip to a national parkHow to plan an epic summer trip to a national park
- This town is the Alps' first European Capital of CultureThis town is the Alps' first European Capital of Culture
- This royal city lies in the shadow of Kuala LumpurThis royal city lies in the shadow of Kuala Lumpur
- This author tells the story of crypto-trading Mongolian nomadsThis author tells the story of crypto-trading Mongolian nomads