@article{Kuzmin_Petrov_Averianov_Boitsova_Skutschas_Sues_2020, title={The braincase of <em>Bissektipelta archibaldi</em> — new insights into endocranial osteology, vasculature, and paleoneurobiology of ankylosaurian dinosaurs}, volume={65}, url={https://biocomm.spbu.ru/article/view/6151}, DOI={10.21638/spbu03.2020.201}, abstractNote={&lt;p&gt;We describe in detail three braincases of the ankylosaur &lt;em&gt;Bissektipelta archibaldi&lt;/em&gt; from the Late Cretaceous (Turonian) of Uzbekistan with the aid of computed tomography, segmentation, and 3D modeling. &lt;em&gt;Bissektipelta archibaldi&lt;/em&gt; is confirmed as a valid taxon and attributed to Ankylosaurinae based on the results of a phylogenetic analysis. The topographic relationships between the elements forming the braincase are determined using a newly referred specimen with preserved sutures, which is an exceedingly rare condition for ankylosaurs. The mesethmoid appears to be a separate ossification in the newly referred specimen ZIN PH 281/16. We revise and discuss features of the neurocranial osteology in Ankylosauria and propose new diagnostic characters for a number of its subclades. We present a 3D model of the braincase vasculature of &lt;em&gt;Bissektipelta&lt;/em&gt; and comment on vascular patterns of armored dinosaurs. A complex vascular network piercing the skull roof and the wall of the braincase is reported for ankylosaurs for the first time. We imply the presence of a lepidosaur-like dorsal head vein and the venous parietal sinus in the adductor cavity of &lt;em&gt;Bissektipelta&lt;/em&gt;. We suggest that the presence of the dorsal head vein in dinosaurs is a plesiomorphic diapsid trait, and extant archosaur groups independently lost the vessel. A study of two complete endocranial casts of &lt;em&gt;Bissektipelta&lt;/em&gt; allowed us to compare endocranial anatomy within Ankylosauria and infer an extremely developed sense of smell, a keen sense of hearing at lower frequencies (100–3000 Hz), and the presence of physiological mechanisms for precise temperature control of neurosensory tissues at least in derived ankylosaurids.&lt;/p&gt;}, number={2}, journal={Biological Communications}, author={Kuzmin, Ivan and Petrov, Ivan and Averianov, Alexander and Boitsova, Elizaveta and Skutschas, Pavel and Sues, Hans-Dieter}, year={2020}, month={Jun.}, pages={85–156} }