The morphological analysis of brain and nervous systems of dinosaurs and the evolutionary process of the transition from non-avian dinosaurs to birds.

• Project/Area Number: 18340162
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Stratigraphy/Paleontology
• Research Institution: Hokkaido University
• Principal Investigator: KOBAYASHI Yoshitsugu Hokkaido University, 総合博物館, 准教授 (70400033)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): KANEKO Katsuhiko 北海道大学, 大学院・工学研究科, 教授 (20128268)
• Project Period (FY): 2006 – 2009
• Project Status: Completed (Fiscal Year 2009)
• Budget Amount: ¥18,050,000 (Direct Cost: ¥14,600,000、Indirect Cost: ¥3,450,000); Fiscal Year 2009: ¥1,560,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,200,000、Indirect Cost: ¥360,000); Fiscal Year 2008: ¥3,900,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,000,000、Indirect Cost: ¥900,000); Fiscal Year 2007: ¥9,490,000 (Direct Cost: ¥7,300,000、Indirect Cost: ¥2,190,000); Fiscal Year 2006: ¥3,100,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,100,000)
• Keywords: 化石 / 系統 / 進化 / 機能形態 / 形態機能

Research Abstract

This study provides informative data to elucidate the evolutionary processes of body and brain from non-avian dinosaurs to birds and the transition of these animals. Specifically, a part of this study focused on large scaled morphology, such as the olfactory bulb for smelling, which reveals the changes of life style and feeding behaviors. This perspective is important to understand the paleoecology and food chain during the Mesozoic and the competition of niches among these animals. Oviraptorosaurs is one of good examples for the transitional dinosaurs between non-avian dinosaurs and birds. In this study, we analyze the changes in body and brain morphology to discuss if oviraptorosaurs belong to birds or avian features in this group is convergent. We concludes that the latter because brain features are more like non-avian dinosaurs, showing complex history of thetransition between non-avian dinosaurs to birds. In the future study, we need to much smaller scale in terms of the structures of brain and nervous system, which will providemore information about the evolution of dinosaurs.

Research Products

• [Journal Article] Cranial osteology of the theropod dinosaur (2009)
  • Author(s): Balanoff, A. M., Xu, X., Kobayashi, Y., Matsufune, Y., Norell, M. A.
  • Journal Title: Incisivosaurus gauthieri (Theropoda : Oviraptorosauria) Novitates 3651 Pages: 1-35
  • Peer Reviewed
• [Journal Article] Cranial osteology of the theropod dinosaur Incisivosaurus gauthieri(Theropoda : Oviraptorosauria). (2009)
  • Author(s): Balanoff, A.M., Xu, X., Kobayashi, Y., Matsufune, Y., Norell, M.A.
  • Journal Title: Novitates 365 Pages: 1-35
  • Peer Reviewed
• [Journal Article] Evolution of dentary diastema in iguanodontian dinosaurs. (2009)
  • Author(s): Kubota, K., Kobayashi, Y.
  • Journal Title: Acta Geologica Sinica 83 Pages: 39-45
  • Peer Reviewed
• [Journal Article] Assignment of Yamaceratops dorngobiensis and associated redbeds at Shine Us Khudag(eastern Gobi, Dorngobi Province, Mongolia)to the redescribed Javkhlant Formation(Upper Cretaceous) (2009)
  • Author(s): Eberth, D.A., Kobayashi, Y., Lee, Y.N., Mateus, O., Therrien, F., Zelenitsky, D.K., Norell, M.A.
  • Journal Title: Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 29 Pages: 295-302
  • Peer Reviewed
• [Journal Article] A pterosaur manus track from Denali National Park, Alaska Range, Alaska, USA. (2009)
  • Author(s): Fiorillo, A., Hasiotis, S., Kobayashi, Y.
  • Journal Title: Palaios 24 Pages: 466-472
  • Peer Reviewed
• [Journal Article] New material of dsungaripterid pterosaurs(Reptilia : Pterosauria)from western Mongolia and its paleoecological implications. (2009)
  • Author(s): Lu, J., Kobayashi, Y., Lee, Y., Ji, Q.
  • Journal Title: Geological Magazine 146 Pages: 690-700
  • Peer Reviewed
• [Journal Article] Phylogenetic position of Ornithomimosauria in Coelurosauria with comments on the relationship of ornithomimosaurs and alvarezsaurids (2008)
  • Author(s): Kobayashi, Y.
  • Journal Title: Journal of Fossil Research 41 Pages: 25-32
  • Peer Reviewed
• [Journal Article] Olfactory acuity in theropods : palaeobiological and evolutionary implications (2008)
  • Author(s): Zelenitsky, D. K., Therrien, F., Kobayashi, Y.
  • Journal Title: Proceedings of Royal Society of London, Series B 276 Pages: 667-673
  • Peer Reviewed
• [Journal Article] Olfactory acuity in theropods : palaeobiological and evolutionary implications (2008)
  • Author(s): Zelenitsky, D. K., Therrien, F., and Kobayashi, Y.
  • Journal Title: Proceedings of Royal Society of London,Series B. 276 Pages: 667-673
  • Peer Reviewed
• [Journal Article] Olfactory acuity in theropods : palaeobiological and evolutionary implications (2008)
  • Author(s): Darla K Zelenitsky, Francois T herrien and Yoshitsugu Kobayashi
  • Journal Title: Proceedings of Royal Society of London 276 Pages: 667-673
  • Peer Reviewed
• [Journal Article] New pterosaur tracks from the Hasandong Formation (Lower Cretaceou s) of Hadong County, South Korea (2008)
  • Author(s): Lee Y-N., Lee H-J., Lu J., Kob ayashi Y.
  • Journal Title: Cretaceous Research 29 Pages: 345-353
  • Peer Reviewed
• [Journal Article] Phylogenetic position of Ornithomimosauria in Coelurosauria with comments on the relationships of ornithomimosaurs and alvarersaurids (2008)
  • Author(s): Yoshitsugu Kobayashi
  • Journal Title: Journal of Fossil Research 41 Pages: 25-32
  • Peer Reviewed
• [Journal Article] A new Psittacosaurus (Dinosauria : Ceratopsia) specimen from the Yixian Formation of western Liaoning, China : the first pathological psittacosaurid (2007)
  • Author(s): Lu, J., Kobayashi, Y., Lee, Y., Ji, Q.
  • Journal Title: Cretaceous Research 28 Pages: 272-276
  • Peer Reviewed
• [Journal Article] Dinosaurs from Japan : pp. 87-102 In J. Lu, Y. Kobayashi, D. Huang, and Y. Lee (eds.) (2006)
  • Author(s): Kobayashi, Y., Manabe, M., Ikegami, N., Tomida, Y., Hayakawa, H.
  • Journal Title: Papers from the 2005 Heyuan International Dinosaur Symposium. Beijing, Geological Publishing House
• [Journal Article] Ornithomimids from the Nemegt Formation of Mongolia (2006)
  • Author(s): Kobayashi, Y., Barsbold, R.
  • Journal Title: Journal of Paleontological Society of Korea 22 Pages: 195-207
  • Peer Reviewed
• [Presentation] 小型獣脚類恐竜の生態復元 (2010)
  • Author(s): 小林快次
  • Organizer: 日本古生物学会
  • Place of Presentation: 滋賀県立琵琶湖博物館
• [Presentation] North Pacific and Panthalassic Distribution of Ichthyosaurs (2010)
  • Author(s): Kentaro Chiba, Louis Jacobs, Yoshitsugu Kobayashi, Tatsuro Ando, Hiroshi Sawamura, Thomas Adams
  • Organizer: 日本古生物学会
  • Place of Presentation: 滋賀県立琵琶湖博物館
• [Presentation] Desmostylian and other marine mammal fossils from Alaska (2010)
  • Author(s): Louis Jacobs, Yosuke Nishida, Michael Polyson, Anthony Fiorillo, Yoshitsugu Kobayashi, Tasuro Ando, Hiroshi Sawamura, Thomas Adams, Yuri Kimura
  • Organizer: 日本古生物学会
  • Place of Presentation: 滋賀県立琵琶湖博物館
• [Presentation] 演題「Ornithomimid materials from the Bayanshiree Formation at Shine Us Khuduk, Dornogov', southeastern Mongolia」2009 (2009)
  • Author(s): Kobayashi, Y. Kubota, K., Barsbold, R.
  • Organizer: Goseong International Dinosaur Symposium
  • Place of Presentation: Goseong, Korea
  • Year and Date: 2009-04-11
• [Presentation] Ornithomimid materials from the Bayanshiree Formation at shine Us Khuduk, Dornogov', southeastern Mongolia (2009)
  • Author(s): Kobayashi, Y.Kubota, K., Barsbold, R.
  • Organizer: Goseong International Dinosaur Symposium
  • Place of Presentation: Goseong, Korea
  • Year and Date: 2009-04-11
• [Presentation] Preliminary report on the microbial, invertebrate, and vertebrate trace fossils from Denali National Park and preserve, Alaska : insights into the biodiversity of a polar ecosystem (2009)
  • Author(s): Hasiotis, S., Fiorillo, A., Kobayashi, Y., Brease, P.
  • Organizer: Geological Society of America Annual Meeting
  • Place of Presentation: Portland, U.S.A
• [Presentation] Bird tracks from the Upper Cretaceous Cantwell Formation of Denali National Park Alaska : a new perspective on ancient northern polar vertebrate biodiversity (2009)
  • Author(s): Fiorillo, A., Hasiotis, S., Kobayashi, Y.
  • Organizer: Society of Vertebrate Paleontology
  • Place of Presentation: Bristol, UK
• [Presentation] 演題「A new basal ornithomimid (Dinosauria : Theropoda) from the Late Cretaceous in Henan Province of China」 (2008)
  • Author(s): Kobayashi, Y., Lu, J., Lee, Y., Xu, L., Zhang, X.
  • Organizer: 68th Annual Meeting of Society of Vertebrate Paleontology
  • Place of Presentation: Ohio, USA
• [Presentation] 演題「A new basal ornithomimid (Dinosauria : Theropoda) from the Late Cretaceous in Henan Province of China」 (2008)
  • Author(s): Kobayashi, Y., Lu, J., Lee, Y., Xu, L. and Zhang, X.
  • Organizer: 68^<th> Annual Meeting of Society of Vertebrate Paleontology
  • Place of Presentation: Ohio,USA
• [Presentation] 演題「Endocranial anatomy of a primitive oviraptorosaur, Incisivosaurus gauthieri,(Theropoda : Dinosauria) (2008)
  • Author(s): Balanoff, A., Xu, X., Matsufune, Y., Kobayashi, Y., and Norell, M.
  • Organizer: 67^<th> Annual Meeting of Society of Vertebrate Paleontology
  • Place of Presentation: Texas, USA
• [Presentation] A new basal ornithomimid (Dinosauria : Theropoda) from the Late Cretaceous in HenanProvince of China (2008)
  • Author(s): Kobayashi, Y., L□, J., Lee, Y., Xu, L. and Zhang, X.
  • Organizer: Society of Vertebrate Paleontology
  • Place of Presentation: 米国クリーブランド
• [Presentation] Statistical approaches to classify dinosaur eggs from the Heyuan Basin, northeastern Guandong Province, China (2008)
  • Author(s): Tanaka, K., Lu□, J., Kobayashi, Y. and Zelenitsky, D.
  • Organizer: Society of Vertebrate Paleontology
  • Place of Presentation: 米国クリーブランド
• [Presentation] A new vertebrate assemblage from the Late Cretaceous of Luanchuan, Henan Province, China (2008)
  • Author(s): Lu□, J., Kobayashi, Y., Lee, Y Xu, L. and Zhang, X.
  • Organizer: Society of Vertebrate Paleontology
  • Place of Presentation: 米国クリーブランド
• [Presentation] A Late Ceetaceous high latitude, high diversity dinosaurian megatracksite from Denali National Park Alaska (2008)
  • Author(s): Fiorillo, A., Hasiotis, S. and K obayashi, Y.
  • Organizer: Society of Vertebrate Paleontology
  • Place of Presentation: 米国クリーブランド
• [Presentation] 演題「ダチョウ型恐竜、オルニトミムスの進化と生態復元」 (2007)
  • Author(s): 小林快次
  • Organizer: 化石研究会第128回例会
  • Place of Presentation: 早稲田大学、東京
  • Year and Date: 2007-11-11
• [Presentation] 演題「Endocranial anatomy of a primitive oviraptorosaur, Incisivosaurus gauthieri, (Theropoda : Dinosauria)」 (2007)
  • Author(s): Balanoff, A., Xu, X., Matsufune, Y., Kobayashi, Y., Norell, M.
  • Organizer: 67th Annual Meeting of Society of Vertebrate Paleontology
  • Place of Presentation: Texas, USA
• [Presentation] 演題「Ornithomimids (Theropoda : Dinosauria) from the Nemegt Formation (Maastrichtian) of Mongolia」 (2007)
  • Author(s): Kobayashi, Y., Bronowicz, R., Barsbold, R.
  • Organizer: 67th Annual Meeting of Society of Vertebrate Paleontology
  • Place of Presentation: Texas, USA
• [Presentation] Ornithomimids (Theropoda : Dinosauria) from the Nemegt Formation (Maastrichtian) of Mongolia (2007)
  • Author(s): Kobayashi, Y., Bronowicz, R., Barsbold, R.
  • Organizer: Society of Vertebrate Paleontology
  • Place of Presentation: オースチン、米国
• [Presentation] New discovery of dinosaur fossils from the Upper Cretaceous Bayanshiree Formation of Mongolia (2007)
  • Author(s): Barsbold, R., Kobayashi, Y., Kubota, K.
  • Organizer: Society of Vertebrate Paleontology
  • Place of Presentation: オースチン、米国
• [Presentation] Endocranial anatomy of a primitive oviraptorosaur, Incisivosaurus gauthieri, (Theropoda : Dinosauria) (2007)
  • Author(s): Balanoff, A., Xu, X., Matsufune, Y., Kobayashi, Y., Norell, M.
  • Organizer: Society of Vertebrate Paleontology
  • Place of Presentation: オースチン、米国
• [Presentation] Preservation of a vertebrate microfauna at Ulan Khushu, Nemegt Formation (Late Cretaceous), Mongolia (2007)
  • Author(s): Winkler D., Lee, Y., Lu, J., Kobayashi, Y.
  • Organizer: Society of Vertebrate Paleontology
  • Place of Presentation: オースチン、米国
• [Presentation] 演題「恐竜研究最前線」 (2006)
  • Author(s): 小林快次
  • Organizer: 2006年度日本古生物学会普及講演会
  • Place of Presentation: 島根大学
• [Book] 中生代における爬虫類の進化 : 爬虫類の起源から恐竜へ (2008)
  • Author(s): 小林快次・栃内新
  • Publisher: 北海道大学出版
• [Book] 恐竜の復元 (2008)
  • Author(s): 小林快次・平山廉・小田隆, 監修
  • Total Pages: 198
  • Publisher: 学習研究社
• [Book] T. R. Holtz and L. V. Rey with contributions by thirty-three of the world's leading paleontologists(Big Bird Imitators : Ornithomimosaurs) (2008)
  • Author(s): Kobayashi, Y.
  • Total Pages: 139
• [Book] 恐竜の復元 (2008)
  • Author(s): 小林快次
  • Total Pages: 191
  • Publisher: 学習研究社
• [Book] 恐竜の復元 (2008)
  • Author(s): 小林快次(監著者)
  • Total Pages: 191
  • Publisher: 学習研究社
• [Book] Big Bird Imitators : Ornithomimosaurs : p. 139 In T. R. Holtz and L. V. Rey with contributions by thirty-three of the world's leading paleontologists (2007)
  • Author(s): Kobayashi, Y.
  • Publisher: Dinosaurs : the most complete, up-to-date encyclopedia for dinosaur lovers of all ages.New York, Random House
• [Book] 超最新恐竜ワールド(鳥類の起源を探るドイツと中国の場合) (2006)
  • Author(s): 小林快次
  • Publisher: NHK出版協会
• [Book] 超最新恐竜ワールド(超最新恐竜学) (2006)
  • Author(s): 小林快次
  • Publisher: NHK出版協会
• [Book] 週刊かがくるプラス (2006)
  • Author(s): 小林快次, 監修
  • Publisher: 朝日新聞社
• [Book] 徹底図解100種類の巨大恐竜(ニュートン) (2006)
  • Author(s): 真鍋真・小林快次・斎木健一・長谷川卓・ケネス カーペンター
• [Book] 小型の竜脚類恐竜『エウロパサウルス・ホルゲリ』の新発見 (2006)
  • Author(s): 小林快次
• [Book] モンゴル大恐竜ーゴビ砂漠の大型恐竜と鳥類の進化 (2006)
  • Author(s): 小林快次・久保田克博, 著
  • Total Pages: 64
  • Publisher: 北海道大学出版会