Dinosaur vascular anatomy & thermal physiology

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Recent studies by Porter & Witmer have revealed that distinct dinosaur groups employed unique thermal physiological methods to regulate brain temperatures amidst intense heat loads. Heat-exchanged blood was strategically transported to the brain region via evaporative cooling, effectively moderating brain temperatures. A 3D model created by Ryan Ridgely accurately represents the content of Figure 1 from Porter & Witmer's research. Small-bodied dinosaurs such as Stegoceras exhibited a balanced circulation pattern with no emphasis on specific heat-exchange sites, whereas larger-bodied dinosaurs like Euoplocephalus prioritized nasal region blood flow, Camarasaurus focused on oral and nasal regions, or Majungasaurus emphasized the antorbital air sinus. The evolution of large body sizes is closely linked to the development of specialized thermal strategies. For more information, visit the WitmerLab Project Page at http://bit.ly/2p5ybwB.