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The Brain Morphology and Neurobiology in Armored Dinosaur Bissekipelta archibaldi (Ankylosauridae) from the Late Cretaceous of Uzbekistan

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Abstract

Brain morphology and topography of cranial nerves of the armored dinosaur Bissektipelta archibaldi from the late Cretaceous of Uzbekistan are studied using an artificial endocranial cast. We reconstruct for the Bissektian ankylosaur well-developed olfaction, poor hearing and eyesight, good taste sensitivity, omnivorous diet as well as the ability to filter-feed. The brain structure of Bissektipelta archibaldi is archaic compared with other ankylosaurian species.

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We are grateful to A.O. Averianov for the specimen kindly provided for the preparation of the cast and to T.A. Tumanova for the discussion of results and valuable comments.

Funding

This research was supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research, project no. 16-05-00408.

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Correspondence to V. R. Alifanov or S. V. Saveliev.

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Translated by D. Ponomarenko

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Alifanov, V.R., Saveliev, S.V. The Brain Morphology and Neurobiology in Armored Dinosaur Bissekipelta archibaldi (Ankylosauridae) from the Late Cretaceous of Uzbekistan. Paleontol. J. 53, 315–321 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1134/S003103011903002X

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1134/S003103011903002X

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