Remarkable preservation of brain tissues in an Early Cretaceous iguanodontian dinosaur
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It has become accepted in recent years that the fossil record can preserve labile tissues. We report here the highly detailed mineralization of soft tissues associated with a naturally occurring brain endocast of an iguanodontian dinosaur found in c. 133 Ma fluvial sediments of the Wealden at Bexhill, Sussex, UK. Moulding of the braincase wall and the mineral replacement of the adjacent brain tissues by phosphates and carbonates allowed the direct examination of petrified brain tissues. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging and computed tomography (CT) scanning revealed preservation of the tough membranes (meninges) that enveloped and supported the brain proper. Collagen strands of the meningeal layers were preserved in collophane. The blood vessels, also preserved in collophane, were either lined by, or infilled with, microcrystalline siderite. The meninges were preserved in the hindbrain region and exhibit structural similarities with those of living archosaurs. Greater definition of the forebrain (cerebrum) than the hindbrain (cerebellar and medullary regions) is consistent with the anatomical and implied behavioural complexity previously described in iguanodontian-grade ornithopods. However, we caution that the observed proximity of probable cortical layers to the braincase walls probably resulted from the settling of brain tissues against the roof of the braincase after inversion of the skull during decay and burial.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Book series | Geological Society Special Publication |
| Volume | 448 |
| Pages (from-to) | 383-398 |
| Number of pages | 16 |
| ISSN | 0305-8719 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2017 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:
JEHH found the specimen. MDB and DBN collaborated to develop this research project and co-ordinated the investigation. DW, AGL and RG conducted the analyses. DBN, MDB, JBA and AGL developed the manuscript and, following the untimely death of MDB, all the authors were involved in data interpretation and the final redrafting of the manuscript. We acknowledge the facilities, scientific and technical assistance of the Australian Microscopy & Microanalysis Research Facility at the Centre for Microscopy Characterisation and Analysis, The University of Western Australia, a facility funded by the university, state and Commonwealth governments. R. Callow undertook early petrological and SEM studies in Oxford. D. Siveter and E. Howlett kindly facilitated imaging and study of 'Iguanodon' casts in the OUMNH collections. MDB acknowledges funds provided by V. and T. Brasier. DBN was supported by the Odell Trust Fund from Christ's College Cambridge. AGL is supported by the Natural Environment Research Council (grant number NE/ L011409/1). JBA acknowledges the ongoing support of the Department of Zoology and OUMNH, University of Oxford. RG is a Scientific Associate at the Natural History Museum, London, and a member of the Interdisciplinary Centre for Ancient Life. DW acknowledges funding from the Australian Research Council and the European Commission. This is CCFS paper 861. The authors would like to thank D. Martill and A. Iwaniuk for helpful suggestions during the review process.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2017 The Author(s). Published by The Geological Society of London.
ID: 320398690