Complex neuroanatomy in the rostrum of the Isle of Wight theropod Neovenator salerii

Abstract The discovery of large, complex, internal canals within the rostra of fossil reptiles has been linked with an enhanced tactile function utilised in an aquatic context, so far in pliosaurids, the Cretaceous theropod Spinosaurus, and the related spinosaurid Baryonyx. Here, we report the prese...

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Autores principales:	Chris Tijani Barker, Darren Naish, Elis Newham, Orestis L. Katsamenis, Gareth Dyke
Formato:	article
Lenguaje:	EN
Publicado:	Nature Portfolio 2017
Materias:	Medicine R Science Q
Acceso en línea:	https://doaj.org/article/defa0b0722dc4cc39818767ac6502833
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spelling	oai:doaj.org-article:defa0b0722dc4cc39818767ac65028332021-12-02T16:06:22ZComplex neuroanatomy in the rostrum of the Isle of Wight theropod Neovenator salerii10.1038/s41598-017-03671-32045-2322https://doaj.org/article/defa0b0722dc4cc39818767ac65028332017-06-01T00:00:00Zhttps://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-03671-3https://doaj.org/toc/2045-2322Abstract The discovery of large, complex, internal canals within the rostra of fossil reptiles has been linked with an enhanced tactile function utilised in an aquatic context, so far in pliosaurids, the Cretaceous theropod Spinosaurus, and the related spinosaurid Baryonyx. Here, we report the presence of a complex network of large, laterally situated, anastomosing channels, discovered via micro-focus computed tomography (μCT), in the premaxilla and maxilla of Neovenator, a mid-sized allosauroid theropod from the Early Cretaceous of the UK. We identify these channels as neurovascular canals, that include parts of the trigeminal nerve; many branches of this complex terminate on the external surfaces of the premaxilla and maxilla where they are associated with foramina. Neovenator is universally regarded as a ‘typical’ terrestrial, predatory theropod, and there are no indications that it was aquatic, amphibious, or unusual with respect to the ecology or behaviour predicted for allosauroids. Accordingly, we propose that enlarged neurovascular facial canals shouldn’t be used to exclusively support a model of aquatic foraging in theropods and argue instead that an enhanced degree of facial sensitivity may have been linked with any number of alternative behavioural adaptations, among them defleshing behaviour, nest selection/maintenance or social interaction.Chris Tijani BarkerDarren NaishElis NewhamOrestis L. KatsamenisGareth DykeNature PortfolioarticleMedicineRScienceQENScientific Reports, Vol 7, Iss 1, Pp 1-8 (2017)
institution	DOAJ
collection	DOAJ
language	EN
topic	Medicine R Science Q
spellingShingle	Medicine R Science Q Chris Tijani Barker Darren Naish Elis Newham Orestis L. Katsamenis Gareth Dyke Complex neuroanatomy in the rostrum of the Isle of Wight theropod Neovenator salerii
description	Abstract The discovery of large, complex, internal canals within the rostra of fossil reptiles has been linked with an enhanced tactile function utilised in an aquatic context, so far in pliosaurids, the Cretaceous theropod Spinosaurus, and the related spinosaurid Baryonyx. Here, we report the presence of a complex network of large, laterally situated, anastomosing channels, discovered via micro-focus computed tomography (μCT), in the premaxilla and maxilla of Neovenator, a mid-sized allosauroid theropod from the Early Cretaceous of the UK. We identify these channels as neurovascular canals, that include parts of the trigeminal nerve; many branches of this complex terminate on the external surfaces of the premaxilla and maxilla where they are associated with foramina. Neovenator is universally regarded as a ‘typical’ terrestrial, predatory theropod, and there are no indications that it was aquatic, amphibious, or unusual with respect to the ecology or behaviour predicted for allosauroids. Accordingly, we propose that enlarged neurovascular facial canals shouldn’t be used to exclusively support a model of aquatic foraging in theropods and argue instead that an enhanced degree of facial sensitivity may have been linked with any number of alternative behavioural adaptations, among them defleshing behaviour, nest selection/maintenance or social interaction.
format	article
author	Chris Tijani Barker Darren Naish Elis Newham Orestis L. Katsamenis Gareth Dyke
author_facet	Chris Tijani Barker Darren Naish Elis Newham Orestis L. Katsamenis Gareth Dyke
author_sort	Chris Tijani Barker
title	Complex neuroanatomy in the rostrum of the Isle of Wight theropod Neovenator salerii
title_short	Complex neuroanatomy in the rostrum of the Isle of Wight theropod Neovenator salerii
title_full	Complex neuroanatomy in the rostrum of the Isle of Wight theropod Neovenator salerii
title_fullStr	Complex neuroanatomy in the rostrum of the Isle of Wight theropod Neovenator salerii
title_full_unstemmed	Complex neuroanatomy in the rostrum of the Isle of Wight theropod Neovenator salerii
title_sort	complex neuroanatomy in the rostrum of the isle of wight theropod neovenator salerii
publisher	Nature Portfolio
publishDate	2017
url	https://doaj.org/article/defa0b0722dc4cc39818767ac6502833
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Complex neuroanatomy in the rostrum of the Isle of Wight theropod Neovenator salerii

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