Convoluted nasal passages function as efficient heat exchangers in ankylosaurs (Dinosauria: Ornithischia: Thyreophora)

Bourke, Jason; Porter, Wm. Ruger; Witmer, Lawrence M.

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0207381

Cited by 20 publications

(53 citation statements)

References 119 publications

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“…A possible if still untested explanation for these evolutionary changes in the inner ear of ankylosaurids is an increase in the size of the derived members of the clade (Arbour and Mallon, 2017). Overall, ankylosaurids appear to have been heavier than nodosaurids for any given body length (Bourke et al, 2018). As was discussed above, larger animals tend to vocalize at and are more sensitive to lower frequencies, which may explain the enhanced length of the cochlear duct of derived ankylosaurids.…”

Section: Paleobiological Implicationsmentioning

confidence: 90%

“…In addition, the discussed hearing capabilities, as well as vocalization frequencies, are correlated with body mass (Gleich et al, 2005;Thiagavel et al, 2017). It appears that larger animals tend to vocalize and are more sensitive to lower frequencies and vice versa (Bowling et al, 2017). The structure of the inner ear is well documented in the fossil record, and the length of the endosseous cochlear duct is a reliable proxy for assessing hearing capabilities of extinct species (Gleich et al, 2005;Walsh et al, 2009).…”

Section: Paleobiological Implicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Recent research on the anatomy of ankylosaurian nasal passages demonstrated that, aside from other functions, the convoluted nasal passages of ankylosaurs are efficient heat exchangers suitable for warming and cooling the air, energy and moisture recovery, and overall thermoregulation of the head (Bourke et al, 2018). The study utilized the restoration of the cephalic blood vessels of Euoplocephalus as a model of the venous blood flow from sites of thermoregulation within the nasal passages to the neurosensory tissue within the braincase (Bourke et al, 2018). Bourke et al (2018) suggested that the convoluted nasal passages may have been the source of the cooled venous blood that circulated into the braincase region and maintained thermal homeostasis of the brain.…”

Section: Paleobiological Implicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The braincase of <em>Bissektipelta archibaldi</em> — new insights into endocranial osteology, vasculature, and paleoneurobiology of ankylosaurian dinosaurs

Kuzmin

Petrov²,

Averianov

et al. 2020

BioComm

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We describe in detail three braincases of the ankylosaur Bissektipelta archibaldi from the Late Cretaceous (Turonian) of Uzbekistan with the aid of computed tomography, segmentation, and 3D modeling. Bissektipelta archibaldi is confirmed as a valid taxon and attributed to Ankylosaurinae based on the results of a phylogenetic analysis. The topographic relationships between the elements forming the braincase are determined using a newly referred specimen with preserved sutures, which is an exceedingly rare condition for ankylosaurs. The mesethmoid appears to be a separate ossification in the newly referred specimen ZIN PH 281/16. We revise and discuss features of the neurocranial osteology in Ankylosauria and propose new diagnostic characters for a number of its subclades. We present a 3D model of the braincase vasculature of Bissektipelta and comment on vascular patterns of armored dinosaurs. A complex vascular network piercing the skull roof and the wall of the braincase is reported for ankylosaurs for the first time. We imply the presence of a lepidosaur-like dorsal head vein and the venous parietal sinus in the adductor cavity of Bissektipelta. We suggest that the presence of the dorsal head vein in dinosaurs is a plesiomorphic diapsid trait, and extant archosaur groups independently lost the vessel. A study of two complete endocranial casts of Bissektipelta allowed us to compare endocranial anatomy within Ankylosauria and infer an extremely developed sense of smell, a keen sense of hearing at lower frequencies (100–3000 Hz), and the presence of physiological mechanisms for precise temperature control of neurosensory tissues at least in derived ankylosaurids.

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Section: Paleobiological Implicationsmentioning

confidence: 90%

Section: Paleobiological Implicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Paleobiological Implicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The braincase of <em>Bissektipelta archibaldi</em> — new insights into endocranial osteology, vasculature, and paleoneurobiology of ankylosaurian dinosaurs

Kuzmin

Petrov²,

Averianov

et al. 2020

BioComm

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“…The term choanal groove is often used to describe the groove on the palatine bone in the region of the choana [ 39 , 80 ]. Here we use this term exclusively for a soft tissue structure [ 5 , 17 , 22 ] as defined above.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Development of the squamate naso-palatal complex: detailed 3D analysis of the vomeronasal organ and nasal cavity in the brown anole Anolis sagrei (Squamata: Iguania)

et al. 2020

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Background Despite the diverse morphology of the adult squamate naso-palatal complex – consisting of the nasal cavity, vomeronasal organ (VNO), choanal groove, lacrimal duct and superficial palate – little is known about the embryology of these structures. Moreover, there are no comprehensive studies concerning development of the nasal cavity and VNO in relation to the superficial palate. In this investigation, we used X-ray microtomography and histological sections to describe embryonic development of the naso-palatal complex of iguanian lizard, the brown anole (Anolis sagrei). The purpose of the study was to describe the mechanism of formation of adult morphology in this species, which combines the peculiar anole features with typical iguanian conditions. Considering the uncertain phylogenetic position of the Iguania within Squamata, embryological data and future comparative studies may shed new light on the evolution of this large squamate clade. Results Development of the naso-palatal complex was divided into three phases: early, middle and late. In the early developmental phase, the vomeronasal pit originates from medial outpocketing of the nasal pit, when the facial prominences are weakly developed. In the middle developmental phase, the following events can be noted: the formation of the frontonasal mass, separation of the vestibulum, appearance of the lacrimal duct, and formation of the choanal groove, which leads to separation of the VNO from the nasal cavity. In late development, the nasal cavity and the VNO attain their adult morphology. The lacrimal duct establishes an extensive connection with the choanal groove, which eventually becomes largely separated from the oral cavity. Conclusions Unlike in other tetrapods, the primordium of the lacrimal duct in the brown anole develops largely beyond the nasolacrimal groove. In contrast to previous studies on squamates, the maxillary prominence is found to participate in the initial fusion with the frontonasal mass. Moreover, formation of the choanal groove occurs due to the fusion of the vomerine cushion to the subconchal fold, rather than to the choanal fold. The loss or significant reduction of the lateral nasal concha is secondary. Some features of anole adult morphology, such as the closure of the choanal groove, may constitute adaptations to vomeronasal chemoreception.

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“…The term choanal groove is often used to describe the groove on the palatine bone in the region of the choana [38,80]. Here we use this term exclusively for a soft tissue structure [5,16,21] as de ned above.…”

Section: Formation Of the Choanal Groove And Homology Of The Choanal mentioning

confidence: 99%

Development of the squamate naso-palatal complex: detailed 3D analysis of the vomeronasal organ and nasal cavity in the brown anole Anolis sagrei (Squamata: Iguania)

Kaczmarek

Janiszewska

Metscher

et al. 2020

Preprint

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Background Despite the diverse morphology of the adult squamate naso-palatal complex – consisting of the nasal cavity, vomeronasal organ (VNO), choanal groove, lacrimal duct and superficial palate – little is known about the embryology of these structures. Moreover, there are no comprehensive studies concerning development of the nasal cavity and VNO in relation to the superficial palate. In this investigation, we used X-ray microtomography and histological sections to describe embryonic development of the naso-palatal complex of iguanian lizard, the brown anole ( Anolis sagrei ). The purpose of the study was to describe the mechanism of formation of adult morphology in this species, which combines the peculiar anole features with typical iguanian conditions. Considering the uncertain phylogenetic position of the Iguania within Squamata, embryological data and future comparative studies may shed new light on the evolution of this large squamate clade. Results Development of the naso-palatal complex was divided into three phases: early, middle and late. In the early developmental phase, the vomeronasal pit originates from medial outpocketing of the nasal pit, when the facial prominences are weakly developed. In the middle developmental phase, the following events can be noted: the formation of the frontonasal mass, separation of the vestibulum, appearance of the lacrimal duct, and formation of the choanal groove, which leads to separation of the VNO from the nasal cavity. In late development, the nasal cavity and the VNO attain their adult morphology. The lacrimal duct establishes an extensive connection with the choanal groove, which eventually becomes largely separated from the oral cavity. Conclusions Unlike in other tetrapods, the primordium of the lacrimal duct in the brown anole develops largely beyond the nasolacrimal groove. In contrast to previous studies on squamates, the maxillary prominence is found to participate in the initial fusion with the frontonasal mass. Moreover, formation of the choanal groove occurs due to the fusion of the vomerine cushion to the subconchal fold, rather than to the choanal fold. The loss or significant reduction of the lateral nasal concha is secondary. Some features of anole adult morphology, such as the closure of the choanal groove, may constitute adaptations to vomeronasal chemoreception.

show abstract

Convoluted nasal passages function as efficient heat exchangers in ankylosaurs (Dinosauria: Ornithischia: Thyreophora)

Cited by 20 publications

References 119 publications

The braincase of <em>Bissektipelta archibaldi</em> — new insights into endocranial osteology, vasculature, and paleoneurobiology of ankylosaurian dinosaurs

The braincase of <em>Bissektipelta archibaldi</em> — new insights into endocranial osteology, vasculature, and paleoneurobiology of ankylosaurian dinosaurs

Development of the squamate naso-palatal complex: detailed 3D analysis of the vomeronasal organ and nasal cavity in the brown anole Anolis sagrei (Squamata: Iguania)

Development of the squamate naso-palatal complex: detailed 3D analysis of the vomeronasal organ and nasal cavity in the brown anole Anolis sagrei (Squamata: Iguania)

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