The early behavioural diversity of mammalian ancestors

Reconstructing ancient behaviour is crucial to advancing our understanding of the evolutionary origins of mammals; however, fossilised evidence of behavioural complexity is often elusive. In recent years, synchrotron micro Computed Tomography (SRµCT) of mammalian ancestors skulls at the ESRF has enabled access to traits that were previously out of reach. This project aims to use SRµCT to study adaptations to agonistic behaviours in mammalian ancestors (such as male-to-male combat, face biting, and sexual display) to demonstrate that social complexity predated the origin of mammals. It is a direct continuation of experiment LS-3174, which aimed to scan large mammalian ancestor skulls, but could not be completed because of the delay in the delivery of the large sample stage of BM18. To resolve this issue, we propose completing the experiment (6 shifts) by replacing the previous samples with specimens small enough to be scanned at BM18 using the current sample stage.