Comparing the relative volume of the brain endocast, we found that this early whale was quite brainy, which is a surprise, as the first cetaceans with big brains were so far understood to be the fully aquatic basilosaurids.

We ct-scanned the skull of Protocetus atavus, an amphibious cetacean coming from the Mokattam Formation in Egypt. The inner anatomy of the skull was reconstructed, and we were able to reconstruct the brain imprint (endocast) as well as the different components of the nasal cavity.

Fossil brain 🧠🧟 of a 45-million-year-old cetacean! We are proud to publish‪ @journal-evo.bsky.social l the result of Elena Berger’s Bachelor’s thesis @smnstuttgart.bsky.social. Thread 👇
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The model of the exceptional skull of the extinct pygmy right whale is finally out (and openly accessible)!
www.morphomuseum.com/Articles/vie...

PhD position alert: join a diverse team of palaeontologists to study the evolution of temnospondyls! The PhD project @smnstuttgart.bsky.social will focus on bone microanatomy: lots of fun with thin-sections and CT in perspective. Whoever you are: don't hesitate to reach out!
tinyurl.com/msvntnd9

#PalAss24 is almost there @thepalass.bsky.social
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@joepschaeffer.bsky.social is already having fun with Plateosaurus. Or is it? It's a complicated story, ask him!

@stereospondyl.bsky.social is also looking forward to his talk 🐸🦴🌏