I realize that this question basically boils down to "which species had the brain that was least small", but given the amount of geological time and diversity present in these animals, one would think that there would be at least some variation in the group. More specifically, I have been trying to see if the size and shape of the braincase have any effect on the morphology of the sauropod skull (i.e., in the position of the eyes, etc.). Hence brain-to-skull size, rather than "largest brain relative to body size" If anyone knows which diplodocoid taxa is known to have the largest brain relative to its skull size, that would be a huge help too.
Hi Russell,
this is a difficult question to answer due to several reasons, as you probably know yourself as well: 1) skulls are very rare in sauropods, 2) complete skulls are even rarer (mostly the braincase is disassociated from the snout elements), 3) complete, undeformed skulls are practically non-existent (I know of 3 or 4 in diplodocoids, where deformation is PROBABLY minimal), and 4) how do you define braincase and skull size?
My best guess in getting this kind of data for diplodocoids would be to ask Larry Witmer or someone in the Emily Rayfield group. These have probably the most extensive sample of complete, CT-scanned, diplodocoid skulls, where you could get this info from. If you use linear measurements of external braincase features to measure braincase size I could also help you with Kaatedocus, of which a surface scan exists. However, this obviously won't give volumetric braincase data.
I hope this helps! If you need a comprehensive list of sauropod skulls, check Whitlock et al. 2010 on the juvenile Diplodocus, and Poropat & Kear 2013 on Euhelopus.
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