Masters Theses

Keywords and Phrases

Cerebral relative volume; Complex behaviors; Encephalization quotient; Hadrosaur; Paleoneurology

Abstract

"Hadrosaurids exhibited extreme morphological diversity and behavioral characteristics that can be compared with other, closely related members of Dinosauria – particularly through the study of neuroanatomy. X-ray CT generated endocrania of the Late Cretaceous saurolophine hadrosaur Maiasaura peeblesorum, known as the “good mother” dinosaur, offers a unique opportunity to compare complex ecological behaviors between non-avian dinosaurs and their modern archosaur relatives. The 3D reconstruction software ORS Dragonfly provided linear and volumetric measurements taken from the digital cranial endocast and endosseous labyrinths of three ontogenetically varied M. peeblesorum specimens from the Two Medicine Formation in Montana that were used to calculate the olfactory acuity, total and cerebral encephalization quotients, and hearing frequencies. Endocranial anatomical data of M. peeblesorum specimen OTM F138 suggests that adults had a cerebral relative volume (CRV) of 49.5%, a high reptile encephalization quotient of 2.2-2.3, an average to high olfactory acuity of 1.76, and a hearing frequency range of 57-3380 Hz. Late juvenile and subadult ontogenetic specimens (TMDC F139 and TMDC F140) had a CRV of 39.4-42.6%. These cerebral volumes are ~6% higher than the CRV value calculated for other related hadrosaurs and are among the highest values across Dinosauria, suggesting that complex behaviors were expected. The data is consistent with the advanced social and nesting behavior observed in the fossilized record of this exemplar taxon that preserves numerous growth stages. These preliminary neuroanatomical descriptions and sensory calculations for M. peeblesorum are critical in understanding how sensory acuity and behavior could have changed ontogenetically and interspecifically" -- Abstract, p. iii

Advisor(s)

Oboh-Ikuenobe, Francisca

Committee Member(s)

King, James Logan
Hogan, John Patrick

Department(s)

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering

Degree Name

M.S. in Geology and Geophysics

Publisher

Missouri University of Science and Technology

Publication Date

Summer 2024

Pagination

xi, 171 pages

Note about bibliography

Includes_bibliographical_references_(pages 149-169)

Rights

©2024 Emma Puetz , All Rights Reserved

Document Type

Thesis - Open Access

File Type

text

Language

English

Thesis Number

T 12405

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Included in

Paleontology Commons

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