Ankylosaurs Brain CT Scan Shows Spiky Dinosaurs Are Deaf With Sluggish Movement

A new study examined the braincase of a unique dinosaur species, known as ankylosaurs discovered in Austria. The team of experts analyzed each of the fragmented samples from its original fossils through the utilization of micro-CT scanners. The data collected from the animal's remains hinted that the dinosaur in question was sluggish and deaf.

Lifestyle of Ankylosaurs

Ankylosaurs are a massive dinosaur that has chunky anatomy. They could grow up to eight meters in body length. The species belong to a larger group of Ankylosauria, consisting of heavy-armored, plant-eating members that roamed the planet during the Late Cretaceous period.

The body of ankylosaurs is sometimes mentioned as a 'living fortress' due to its durability and incomparable structure. With its hard spikes, plates, and club tail, the species could protect itself from the threats that are present side by side throughout its existence. However, the previous studies on ankylosaurs mainly focused on their uncommon bodies. Because of the unending surprises that many dinosaurs offer, scholars believe that there are still details undiscovered from ankylosaurs and other prehistoric animals.

Many dinosaurs inherently thrive in groups, but it was found that ankylosaurs are more fond of being alone. One potential reason is that they have a lesser sense of hearing, a burdening skill that does not require any help from other members. Experts from the University of Greifswald and the University of Vienna conducted collaborative research to know more about the feature.

According to a report by PhysOrg, the analysis focused on the braincase of ankylosaurs, as these parts are known to house the brain organ and other neurological regions such as sensory tissues on prehistoric animals. The discovery of an intact braincase is rare, but a fortunate dig could provide many insights into the lifestyle of its previous owner.

Braincase of Struthiosaurus austriacus Reveals That Most Ankylosaurs are Deaf and Sluggish

One sample of braincase was examined by the authors, and it came from an ankylosaurs species called Struthiosaurus austriacus. The dinosaur is believed to have existed around 80 million years ago and flourished st the southern regions of Vienna. The fossils were already kept in the country's Institute for Paleontology when first dug back in the 19th century.

The examination included a tiny braincase from the said species that scaled to 50 millimeters. With the extensive experiments and observations, the authors concluded that the brain of the Struthiosaurus austriacus heavily resembles the structure of the organ in many of the ankylosaur's relatives. In addition, the placement of a brain region called flocculus was evident in the animals. This evolutionary part allows the chunky herbivores to manage their eyes while their bodies are in motion.

University of Greifswald's evolutionary biology and paleontology expert Marco Schade, who authored the study, said in the report that Struthiosaurus austriacus may also have relied on its body armor rather than club tails as observed in its North American cousin Euoplocephalus.

The semicircular canals in their ears also suggest that the ankylosaurs are sluggish. Moreover, they have the shortest lagena in the whole clade of dinosaurs, a feature that pushed them to have an inferior sense of hearing, adding up to their bizarre body movements. The study was published in the journal Scientific Reports, titled "Neuroanatomy of the nodosaurid Struthiosaurus austriacus (Dinosauria: Thyreophora) supports potential ecological differentiations within Ankylosauria."

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