An international group of paleontologists, scientists, and neurologists conducted an analysis of the size and structure of dinosaur brains, concluding that their behavior resembled that of crocodiles and lizards more than that of primates, as previously thought.
It was previously believed that dinosaurs such as Tyrannosaurus rex had a significant number of neurons and exhibited a high level of intelligence. Scientists thought that a large number of neurons could indicate the cognitive abilities, metabolism, and evolutionary history of these creatures. Consequently, Tyrannosaurus rex was compared to primates in its habits.
However, new research calls this theory into question. To investigate the brain characteristics of dinosaurs, researchers analyzed the endocasts of their skulls and the shapes of the cavities. The results showed that the brain size reported in previous studies was significantly overestimated. This also means that the number of neural connections was exaggerated, but according to scientists, this is not a decisive factor in assessing the intelligence of dinosaurs.
“The number of neurons is not a reliable indicator of cognitive efficiency, and using them to assess the intelligence of extinct species can lead to erroneous conclusions,” noted Dr. Ornella Bertrand, one of the authors of the study.
According to the researchers, to accurately reconstruct the biology of extinct species, it is necessary to consider multiple sources of evidence, including skeletal anatomy, bone histology, the behavior of modern relatives, and trace fossils.
The idea that Tyrannosaurus rex may have possessed the mind of primates seems intriguing and exciting. However, the new research reveals numerous contradictions in this concept. Scientists argue that dinosaurs were closer to intelligent giant crocodiles.
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