Abstract
Nodosauridae is a group of thyreophoran dinosaurs characterized by a collar of prominent osteoderms. In comparison to its sister group, the often club-tailed ankylosaurids, a different lifestyle of nodosaurids could be assumed based on their neuroanatomy and weaponry, e.g., regarding applied defensive strategies. The holotype of the nodosaurid Struthiosaurus austriacus consists of a single partial braincase from the Late Cretaceous of Austria. Since neuroanatomy is considered to be associated with ecological tendencies, we created digital models of the braincase based on micro-CT data. The cranial endocast of S. austriacus generally resembles those of its relatives. A network of vascular canals surrounding the brain cavity further supports special thermoregulatory adaptations within Ankylosauria. The horizontal orientation of the lateral semicircular canal independently confirms previous appraisals of head posture for S. austriacus and, hence, strengthens the usage of the LSC as proxy for habitual head posture in fossil tetrapods. The short anterior and angular lateral semicircular canals, combined with the relatively shortest dinosaurian cochlear duct known so far and the lack of a floccular recess suggest a rather inert lifestyle without the necessity of sophisticated senses for equilibrium and hearing in S. austriacus. These observations agree with an animal that adapted to a comparatively inactive lifestyle with limited social interactions.
Highlights
Thyreophora are ornithischian dinosaurs, comprising iconic taxa like Stegosaurus and Ankylosaurus[1]
The type species of Struthiosaurus, S. austriacus, is based on fragmentary cranial and postcranial remains of at least three individuals of different ontogenetic stages that were recovered during the nineteenth century from early Campanian continental coal-bearing beds of Muthmannsdorf, Austria, referred to the Grünbach Formation ( see[18] for overview)
The presence of widely distributed vascular canals in the holotypic neurocranium of Struthiosaurus austriacus adds to the diversity of patterns within Thyreophora[6,13,14,35]
Summary
Thyreophora are ornithischian dinosaurs, comprising iconic taxa like Stegosaurus and Ankylosaurus[1]. Ankylosauria thrived at least since the Middle Jurassic and some of their representatives witnessed the end-Cretaceous mass extinction[1]. These globally distributed quadruped herbivores were heavily armoured living fortresses; partly either equipped with a club tail (ankylosaurids2) or a collar of hypertrophied spikes on their neck and shoulders (nodosaurids[3]). The type species of Struthiosaurus, S. austriacus, is based on fragmentary cranial and postcranial remains of at least three individuals of different ontogenetic stages that were recovered during the nineteenth century from early Campanian continental coal-bearing beds of Muthmannsdorf, Austria, referred to the Grünbach Formation ( see[18] for overview). The segmentation of the internal structures provides new insights into the neuroanatomy and behavioral capacities of this Late Cretaceous (Campanian) armoured dinosaur from Austria
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