Researchers have examined fossil skull remains of the dinosaur species Europasaurus holgeri using modern methods and thus gained new insights. "For the first time, we have reconstructed the cavities that once housed the brain and inner ears of the animals," paleontologist Marco Schade from the University of Greifswald told the German Press Agency. The team from the Universities of Greifswald and Vienna examined several Europasaurus skulls from very young to adult animals with the help of a high-resolution computer tomograph. The study has now been published by the online journal »eLife«. According to Schade, it suggests that Europasaurus was a nest fugitive, i.e. followed the group early.
The Europasaurus lived 154 million years ago on a small island in what is now northern Germany. The species probably had a head height of about three meters. In 1998, the fossil collector Holger Lüdtke discovered the first teeth and bones in the Langenberg limestone quarry near Goslar in the Harz Mountains. It is the only known place of discovery so far. In the meantime, an estimated 2000 individual bones of at least 21 individuals have been excavated, which are gradually being prepared in the Münchehagen dinosaur Park northwest of Hanover.
With a length of about six meters, Europasaurus was a comparatively small, long -necked sauropode and a typical example of the dwarf growth of many animal species living on islands. The still pronounced size difference between the adult animals and the tiny, juvenile Schlüpfingen indicates fast growth rates, albeit less than with other representatives of the family. The discrepancy of several tons between adults and young animals makes it unlikely, among other things, that the animals were able to take good care of their offspring.
The "little giant" was the ideal candidate for the examinations because so much skull material of different age stages exists, said Schade. The lagena responsible for hearing, a tubular hearing organ, is relatively long in Europasaurus. "This fact suggests that the animals could hear quite well, and intra-species communication took place in their herd.«
The housing of the equilibrium organs in the inner ear in young animals were like those of the adults. According to Schade, some of the exams examined were only about two centimeters tall and could come from dinosaurs hatched just from the egg. The researchers conclude that the very young animals were already dependent on their sense of balance. "They were probably nest refugees and hiked with the group early on," said Schade.
