Dissertation Research: Anatomy, Evolution, and Functional Significance of Cephalic Vasculature in Archosauria, with Special Emphasis on Birds, Crocodilians, and Nonavian Dinosaurs

这项研究将研究已灭绝的(恐龙)和现存的(鸟类和鳄鱼)始祖龙成员的头部循环系统。这项研究的意义超出了基础解剖学，因为血管“装置”的推断将揭示灭绝生物的行为和生理。例如，温血脊椎动物的头部循环系统中有逆流热交换器，负责加热或冷却头部的重要结构，如大脑。这项研究的主要目的是：(1)记录鸟类和鳄鱼头部血管的解剖学；(2)重建已灭绝的始龙(如恐龙)的血管结构；(3)研究血管系统的进化；(4)提出关于血管排列的功能/生理意义的假说。有关鸟类和鳄鱼的数据将通过大体解剖学、组织学和一种新的X射线技术获得。有关恐龙的数据将通过识别化石中的血管痕迹来获得。该项目将首次比较鳄鱼、鸟类和其他脊椎动物的头部血管结构，并重建灭绝的始祖龙的血管结构和模式。

This study will examine the circulatory system of the head in extinct (dinosaurs) and living (birds and crocodilians) members of the Archosauria. The research holds significance beyond basic anatomy in that the inference of vascular "devices" will shed light on the behavior and physiology of extinct organisms. For example, warm-blooded vertebrates have countercurrent heat exchangers in their cephalic circulatory system, which heat or cool important structures in the head such as the brain. The major objectives of the research are (1) to document the anatomy of the head vessels in birds and crocodilians, (2) reconstruct vascular structures in extinct archosaurs (e.g., dinosaurs), (3) examine the evolution of the vascular system, and (4) formulate hypotheses on functional/physiological significance of vascular arrangements. Data on birds and crocodilians will be obtained via gross anatomy, histology, and a novel X-ray technique. Data on dinosaurs will be attained by identifying vascular traces in fossils. This project will be the first to compare head vasculature in crocodilians, birds, and other vertebrates, and to reconstruct vascular structures and patterns in extinct archosaurs.