Scientists Reconstruct a Dinosaur’s Pea-Sized Brain

A boy looks on at the skull of a dinosaur fossil in Taipei, Taiwan. Photo: Chiang Ying-ying / AP
A boy looks on at the skull of a dinosaur fossil in Taipei, Taiwan. Photo: Chiang Ying-ying / AP
TT

Scientists Reconstruct a Dinosaur’s Pea-Sized Brain

A boy looks on at the skull of a dinosaur fossil in Taipei, Taiwan. Photo: Chiang Ying-ying / AP
A boy looks on at the skull of a dinosaur fossil in Taipei, Taiwan. Photo: Chiang Ying-ying / AP

The study of the brain of extinct organisms and speies sheds light on their behaviors. However, soft tissues, like the brain, are not usually preserved for long periods. Hence, researchers reconstruct the brains of dinosaurs by analyzing the cranial cavities under computed tomography. It demands well-preserved braincases (the upper back part of the skull), only discovered in 2015. In that year, a Brazilian paleontologist from the Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Dr. Rodrigo Temp Müller unearthed an exceptionally well-preserved skeleton from a fossiliferous locality in southern Brazil.

The skeleton, approximately 233 million years old (Triassic period), belongs to a small carnivorous dinosaur named Buriolestes schultzi. Its well preserved entire braincase helped researchers reconstruct the first complete brain of one of the oldest dinosaurs worldwide- whose size was similar to a hunting dog. The study was published in in the latest issue of the Journal Nature of Anatomy.

According to a report published on the university's website, the brain of Buriolestes schultzi is relatively small and weighs approximately 1.5 grams, which is slightly lighter than a pea. The shape resembles the general morphology of a crocodile brain. In addition, the researchers found well-developed structures in the cerebellum that indicate the capability to track moving prey. Conversely, the olfactory sense was not high; therefore, it is more likely that dinosaur hunted and tracked prey based on optical capability rather than its olfactory sense.

Despite the carnivorous feeding behavior of this dinosaur, it belongs to the lineage of giant, long-necked, herbivorous sauropods, the largest land animals that ever lived. However, Buriolestes schultzi is considered the earliest member of this lineage. So, the new brain reconstruction allows researchers to analyze the brain evolution of this impressive lineage.



Britain's Queen Camilla to Miss Annual Event with Illness

Queen Consort Camilla will come under scrutiny for what she wears at her husband King Charles III's coronation. ADRIAN DENNIS / AFP/File
Queen Consort Camilla will come under scrutiny for what she wears at her husband King Charles III's coronation. ADRIAN DENNIS / AFP/File
TT

Britain's Queen Camilla to Miss Annual Event with Illness

Queen Consort Camilla will come under scrutiny for what she wears at her husband King Charles III's coronation. ADRIAN DENNIS / AFP/File
Queen Consort Camilla will come under scrutiny for what she wears at her husband King Charles III's coronation. ADRIAN DENNIS / AFP/File

Britain's Queen Camilla has pulled out of an event on Friday night as she continues to experience some symptoms of illness after suffering a chest infection earlier this month, a Buckingham Palace spokesperson said.

Camilla, 77, was due to attend the Royal Variety Performance at the Royal Albert Hall in central London with husband King Charles, but he will now go to the charity entertainment show alone, Reuters reported.

"The queen continues to experience some lingering post-viral symptoms, as a result of which doctors have advised that, after a busy week of engagements, Her Majesty should prioritise sufficient rest," the spokesperson said.

A chest infection in the first week of

November

forced Camilla to cancel events for several days, but she had since returned to official duties.