Dodo Skull Study Reveals New Clues About Extinct Bird

Topic: Biology

Scientists in Denmark and Canada studied a complete dodo skull using high-resolution CT scanning. They found that the dodo's sensory world was different from its living relatives, with a more flexible daily activity pattern and enhanced sense of smell.

Only two complete dodo skulls exist in the world: one at the Natural History Museum Denmark and one at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History.

The specimen in Copenhagen has been preserved for centuries. Researchers used high-resolution CT scanning to create a detailed digital model without damaging the rare skull. This allowed them to reconstruct the inside of the skull, including the space where the brain once was.

By comparing the dodo's skull with those of living birds, scientists found that the dodo had a unique sensory experience. It may have been active at dawn and dusk, had a strong sense of smell, and could process tactile information through its large upper beak.

Why It Matters

Understanding how the dodo lived can help us learn about conservation and extinction. The study's findings also show that even with limited data, scientists can make new discoveries using advanced technology.

Key Facts

• Only two complete dodo skulls exist in the world: one at the Natural History Museum Denmark and one at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History.
• The researchers used high-resolution CT scanning to create a detailed digital model of the dodo's skull without damaging it.
• The study found that the dodo had a unique sensory experience, with a more flexible daily activity pattern and enhanced sense of smell.
• The study was led by researchers at the University of Lethbridge in Canada and the Natural History Museum Denmark.
• The findings were published in the Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society.

Key Terms

CT scanning

A medical imaging technique that uses X-rays to create detailed images of internal structures.

Implications

Understanding how the dodo lived can help us learn about conservation and extinction. The study's findings also show that even with limited data, scientists can make new discoveries using advanced technology.