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The endocranium and trophic ecology ofVelociraptor mongoliensis
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

The endocranium and trophic ecology ofVelociraptor mongoliensis

J. Logan King, Justin S. Sipla, Justin A. Georgi, Amy M. Balanoff and James M. Neenan
Journal of anatomy, Vol.237(5), pp.861-869
11/01/2020
DOI: 10.1111/joa.13253
PMCID: PMC7542195
PMID: 32648601
url
https://doi.org/10.1111/joa.13253View
Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

Neuroanatomical reconstructions of extinct animals have long been recognized as powerful proxies for palaeoecology, yet our understanding of the endocranial anatomy of dromaeosaur theropod dinosaurs is still incomplete. Here, we used X-ray computed microtomography (mu CT) to reconstruct and describe the endocranial anatomy, including the endosseous labyrinth of the inner ear, of the small-bodied dromaeosaur,Velociraptor mongoliensis. The anatomy of the cranial endocast and ear were compared with non-avian theropods, modern birds, and other extant archosaurs to establish trends in agility, balance, and hearing thresholds in order to reconstruct the trophic ecology of the taxon. Our results indicate thatV. mongoliensiscould detect a wide and high range of sound frequencies (2,368-3,965 Hz), was agile, and could likely track prey items with ease. When viewed in conjunction with fossils that suggest scavenging-like behaviours inV. mongoliensis, a complex trophic ecology that mirrors modern predators becomes apparent. These data suggest thatV. mongoliensiswas an active predator that would likely scavenge depending on the age and health of the individual or during prolonged climatic events such as droughts.
 Anatomy & Morphology Life Sciences & Biomedicine Science & Technology

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