Experts have uncovered some unique characteristics of a dinosaur species through the examination of an "overlooked" skull fossil located at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. The small-sized dinosaur under study is called Thescelosaurus neglectus which means "wonderful, overlooked lizard." This research is the first to connect a specific sensory fingerprint with the behavior of extinct dinosaurs.

Analysis of Dinosaur Skull

The herbivorous dinosaur is nicknamed Willo, a non-avian dinosaur which lived in parts of North America just before the end-Cretaceous mass extinction which happened 66 million years ago. It measured 12 feet (3.7 meters) and weighed 750 pounds (340 kilograms).

Led by Dr. David Button from the University of Bristol's School of Earth Sciences, scientists performed CT scans on Willo's fossils which enabled them to make 3D endocranial reconstruction of the soft tissues within its skull, including the brain and inner ear. They also compared these sensory structures to those of other dinosaurs and their modern-day relatives. This analysis allowed the researchers to observe the proportionate size of Willo's brain and gain better insight into its auditory, olfactory, and equilibrium senses.

Ornithischian dinosaurs such as Willo exhibit a diversity of locomotory modes, ecologies, and social structures which make them an ideal candidate in studying the evolution of neuroanatomy and behavior in animals. Their trace and body fossils also demonstrate particular behaviors like burrowing and flocking.

READ ALSO: 150 Million-Year-Old Fossils Identified As New Dinosaur Species, Considered the Largest of Its Kind

Exceptional Smelling Sense

Thescelosaurus neglectus had a limited range of hearing ability, especially when processing high-pitched sounds. It could only hear about 15% of the sound frequencies detected by humans, and between 4% to 7% of what dogs and cats can hear. It was found to hear low frequency sounds best and in the range that overlaps with T. rex. What makes it more interesting is the fact that these deficiencies are usually associated with animals that spend their time underground.

In Willo's case, it managed to compensate for its limited hearing with an exceptional sense of smell. The researchers discovered that Thescelosaurus had very well developed olfactory bulbs or regions of the brain that process smell.

In fact, they were relatively larger than those of any other dinosaur known so far, and similar to those of living alligators which can smell a drop of blood from miles away. As a burrowing creature, Willo's keen sense of smell helped in finding hidden plant nutrients such as roots and tubers.

The study also highlights the ability of Thescelosaurus neglectus to have an exceptional sense of balance which helped in determining its body position in 3D space. This is another trait often observed in ground dwellers.

Ironically, the paleontologists initially thought that these animals were boring. Their analysis helped them realize that there was something unique about the combination of the animal's sensory strengths and weaknesses. The poor cognitive and hearing abilities of Thescelosaurus neglectus, combined with powerful arms and legs and overdeveloped senses of smell and balance, are all features of species that live underground or engage in digging behaviors today.

RELATED ARTICLE: Newly Discovered Armored Dinosaur Reveals Ankylosaur Diversity, Adds Fresh Perspective to These Prehistoric Creatures-

Check out more news and information on Dinosaur in Science Times.