The endocranial anatomy of therizinosauria and its implications for sensory and cognitive function.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Therizinosauria is one of the most enigmatic and peculiar clades among theropod dinosaurs, exhibiting an unusual suite of characters, such as lanceolate teeth, a rostral rhamphotheca, long manual claws, and a wide, opisthopubic pelvis. This specialized anatomy has been associated with a shift in dietary preferences and an adaptation to herbivory. Despite a large number of discoveries in recent years, the fossil record for Therizinosauria is still relatively poor, and cranial remains are particularly rare.

Methodology/principal findings

Based on computed tomographic (CT) scanning of the nearly complete and articulated skull of Erlikosaurus andrewsi, as well as partial braincases of two other therizinosaurian taxa, the endocranial anatomy is reconstructed and descri

SUBMITTER: Lautenschlager S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3526574 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature