Dinosaurs: The Surprising Sounds of Pulaosaurus qinglong

In a groundbreaking discovery that challenges our cinematic perceptions of dinosaurs, a team of researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences has unveiled a new species of dinosaur, Pulaosaurus qinglong, which likely communicated in chirps rather than the roars we often associate with these ancient creatures. This remarkable finding comes from a well-preserved fossil discovered in northeastern China, providing a rare glimpse into the vocalization capabilities of dinosaurs.

Pulaosaurus qinglong, a two-legged herbivore measuring approximately 72 centimeters (2.4 feet) in length, is named after Pulao, a mythical dragon from Chinese folklore known for its loud cries. This connection is fitting, as the fossilized remains include not only most of the skeleton but also parts of the larynx, an area typically lost to fossilization. The presence of these structures offers a unique opportunity to speculate on the sounds this dinosaur might have produced.

The researchers noted that the laryngeal structures found in Pulaosaurus are strikingly similar to those of modern birds, suggesting that this dinosaur could have communicated using a range of complex chirps and calls. Unfortunately, due to the compression of the mandible—an essential component for acoustic calculations—the exact nature of its vocalizations remains elusive.

Finding a fossilized larynx in dinosaurs is an extraordinary rarity, with Pulaosaurus being only the second instance identified by paleontologists. The first was discovered in an ankylosaur known as Pinacosaurus, highlighting the diversity of vocal structures among dinosaurs. Remarkably, these two species are distantly related, separated by approximately 90 million years of evolution. This raises intriguing questions about the prevalence of similar laryngeal structures across various dinosaur lineages.

Despite the significance of this discovery, the researchers speculate that such delicate anatomical features may not fossilize well or may be misidentified in existing specimens. They advocate for a reanalysis of vocal anatomy within non-avian dinosaurs to improve the accuracy of our understanding of these ancient creatures.

As we continue to uncover more fossils and refine our techniques for studying dinosaur anatomy, we may eventually gain a clearer picture of how these magnificent animals communicated. For now, the chirps of Pulaosaurus qinglong serve as a reminder that the reality of dinosaur life is often far more nuanced than what is portrayed in popular media. The research findings were published in the journal PeerJ, contributing valuable insights to the ongoing exploration of dinosaur biology and behavior.