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Photo: LiveScience |
Dinosaurs known as lambeosaurs, which lived 90 million years ago, had large crests with complex nasal openings. Researchers believe these features were used for sexual signaling and communication.
“The crest played a role in sound and visual displays to attract mates or intimidate rivals,” said David Evans, a researcher at the University of Toronto. “We can now dismiss the idea that this complex structure was primarily for enhancing the sense of smell.”
Lambeosaurs, herbivorous dinosaurs reaching lengths of 914 cm with skulls measuring 60 cm, had four limbs, with the hind legs being significantly longer and stronger than the front legs. Their distinctive crests, a prominent feature for identification, resembled the slicked-back hairstyle of Elvis Presley or a small axe atop their heads.
Paleontologists studying lambeosaur fossils in Western Canada discovered that these dinosaurs developed their crests relatively late in life, indicating a social and sexual function. “It could be a sexual display since it developed late in life and coincided with traits related to attracting mates.” stated David Evans.
Evans explained that when the creature breathed, air passed through the complex openings shaped like the crest atop its skull and into its lungs. He created a three-dimensional model of the dinosaur’s brain to test the hypothesis that the crest evolved to produce sounds, like whistles, that would help call mates or warn enemies.
