Comparative neuroanatomy of extinct horned turtles (Meiolaniidae) and extant terrestrial turtles (Testudinoidea), with comments on the paleobiological implications of selected endocranial features

PAULINA CARABAJAL, A.; POROPAT, S.; GEORGI, J.; STERLI, J.; KEAR, B.

ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY

WILEY-BLACKWELL PUBLISHING, INC

Lugar: Londres; Año: 2017 vol. 180 p. 930 - 950

0024-4082

Turtles are one of the least explored clades ofreptiles with respect to paleoneuroanatomy. Fewdetailed descriptions of endocranial features such as the brain morphology orinner ear exist for extant and extinct forms. In this contribution, we presentthe first CT-based reconstructions of endocranial morphology (brain and innerear) and the nasal cavities in the terrestrial horned meiolaniid (Meiolaniidae)turtles Niolamia argentina and Gaffneylania auricularis from the Eocene of Patagonia, as well as Meiolania platyceps from the Pleistoceneof Lord Howe Island, Australia. In addition, these exclusively GondwananCenozoic taxa are contrasted with cranial endocasts of multiple extant testudinoids,thereby providing the largest sample of digital comparative endocranial data assembledfor extinct and living turtles to date. Our study thus adds much needed anatomicalinformation on turtle paleoneurology. Aspects of meiolaniid palaeobiology arediscussed, in particular the hypertrophied nasal cavity might not to be relatedto olfactory acuity, but rather perhaps adaptation to arid climatic conditions,and/or courtship behaviors.