Comment on "The early origin of a birdlike inner ear and the evolution of dinosaurian movement and vocalization"

Science. 2022 Jun 24;376(6600):eabl6710. doi: 10.1126/science.abl6710. Epub 2022 Jun 24.

Abstract

Hanson et al. (Research Articles, 7 May 2021, p. 601) claim that the shape of the vestibular apparatus reflects the evolution of reptilian locomotion. Using biomechanics, we demonstrate that semicircular canal shape is a dubious predictor of semicircular duct function. Additionally, we show that the inference methods used by Hanson et al. largely overestimate relationships between semicircular canal shape and locomotion.

Publication types

  • Comment

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biological Evolution*
  • Birds* / anatomy & histology
  • Dinosaurs* / anatomy & histology
  • Dinosaurs* / physiology
  • Locomotion*
  • Semicircular Canals* / anatomy & histology