Brief comment on the brain and inner ear of Giganotosaurus carolinii (Dinosauria: Theropoda) based on CT Scans

Abstract

The endocranial morphology of the carcharodontosaurinae theropod Giganotosaurus carolinii is known from a latex cranial endocast, which lacks however, information such as the extent of the flocculus of the cerebellum or the length of the passages for most of the neurovascular elements. A recently made X-ray CT scan allowed a more accurate interpretation of the cranial nerves, plus the first reconstruction of the inner ear, which is the most complete for a member of the clade so far. The inner ear morphology shares with that of Carcharodontosaurus saharicus, markedly triangular semicircular canals in lateral view, and a simple and conical lagena with a slightly enlarged distal end.