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NEW YORK
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PALEONTOLOGICAL SOCIETY
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MEETING ANNOUNCEMENT
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Cranial ontogeny and neuroanatomy of Dryosaurus elderae (Dinosauria: Ornithopoda) from the Upper Jurassic Morrison Formation (Dinosaur National Monument, Utah, USA): New paleobiologic and phylogenetic implications from microcomputed tomography scanning Daniel Dunfee M.S. Geological Sciences, Ohio University. WitmerLab alumnus, & Field Technician, Elevation Science Institute Sunday, December 14, 2025 2:00 P.M.
THIS MEETING WILL BE HELD ONLINE Novel CT-based analyses of three skulls of the Late Jurassic early-diverging iguanodontian ornithopod dinosaur Dryosaurus elderae provide new information about the growth, development, and ontogenetic trajectories of the ornithopod endocranium. Three D. elderae skulls found in the Upper Brushy Basin Member of the Morrison Formation at the Carnegie Quarry in Dinosaur National Monument (Utah, USA) differ in size and represent different developmental stages that comprise a small growth series. The juvenile skull represents one of the developmentally youngest and most complete examples among non-hadrosauroid ornithopods, meriting close attention. All three D. elderae skulls were subjected to computed tomography (CT scanning) to permit the generation of 3D digital models of the brain for all three skulls in the Amira-Avizo software program and allow additional descriptions and analyses of their endocranial anatomic features, such as brain regions, cranial nerves, and endocranial vasculature. These brain models and their endocranial features are described in detail for comparison not only with those of their conspecifics, but also with those of other ornithopods of approximately equivalent growth stages to reveal new developmental trajectories, allometries, and the evolutionary and behavioral implications of these new findings. The brain models of D. elderae show the presence of a well-developed cerebellar flocculus and prominent optic lobes, and the juvenile forebrain features cerebral vascular traces and a well-defined interhemispheric fissure which the subadult forebrain lacks. Olfactory ratios, best hearing frequencies, and hearing frequency ranges decrease with development, yielding potential insights into how the ecology and behavior of D. elderae may have changed as it grew from a juvenile to a subadult. This study supports both the separation of D. elderae from D. altus, and Dryosaurus from Dysalotosaurus based on novel paleobiogeographic and anatomic evidence, and finds that Dryosaurus elderae likely developed good visual abilities and quick reflexes early in its development and relied on them throughout its life to perform ecological behaviors. It also suggests that D. elderae likely exhibited some form of parental care and finds that negatively allometric growth of the brain relative to the braincase may be more widespread within ornithopods and non-avian dinosaurs than is currently recognized.
N.Y.P.S. MEETING DATES FOR THE YEAR These are the meeting dates of the New York Paleontological Society for the 2025-2026 season. We normally meet at 2:00 P.M. in a room at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City (79th Street and Central Park West). However, the Museum is unable to assign any rooms for our meetings at this time. However, as of this writing, we are now working with the Museum and some of its staff on obtaining rooms for at least some of our meetings this year (9/25- 5/26). Ideally, we will be able to meet in the Museum and online for the same meeting. But, since room availability may change, it has been decided to hold online meetings on the regular dates and times so that the schedule remains the same whether the meeting is in a room or online. One advantage of online meetings is that they will be recorded so members who can’t attend at the meeting time can view the whole meeting afterwards at their convenience.
Our Annual Party would normally be held at the NYU Tandon School of Engineering in Brooklyn, but new construction may effect the availability of a large enough venue space. Note, due to the nature of the party (many tables, events, talks and wonderful food), this event cannot be held online.
As of this writing, all of the dates this year are on the third Sunday of the month, except April’s. Also, our Annual Holidays Party would be held if possible on a Saturday (the date to be determined), but, again, the available venue space and rules may effect this event. The dates are as follows:
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