Paleoneurology and neuroanatomical notes on the South American “rauisuchian” Saurosuchus galilei from the Ischigualasto formation, San Juan, Argentina

A groundbreaking paleoneurological study of Saurosuchus galilei, a large Triassic predator from Argentina's Ischigualasto Formation, reveals that this 'rauisuchian' possessed an exceptionally acute sense of smell, surpassing expectations for its body size. This enhanced olfactory ability, akin to modern crocodilians and tyrannosaurid dinosaurs, suggests it relied on scent to track prey over long distances, compensating for weaker vision and balance. Researchers identified unique pharyngotympanic pneumaticity in the braincase and detailed structures like cranial nerves (V-XII), olfactory bulbs, blood vessels, and inner ear using natural casts and digital endocasts. The study challenges traditional views of rauisuchian sensory capabilities and provides insights into their ecological role before the rise of theropod dinosaurs.

von Baczko, M. B., Cardillo, A. F., Ulloa‐Guaiquin, K., Desojo, J. B., & Paulina‐Carabajal, A. (2023). Paleoneurology and neuroanatomical notes on the South American “rauisuchian” Saurosuchus galilei from the Ischigualasto formation, San Juan, Argentina. The Anatomical Record, 307(4), 1239–1253. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1002/ar.25362