Pterosaur brains evolved pathways to flight different from birds

by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Nov 27, 2025

New research reveals that pterosaurs developed their neurological capabilities for flight independently from birds. An international team studied the fossilized brain structures of ancient flying reptiles and found that the evolution of flight in pterosaurs relied on distinct pathways compared to early birds.

Researchers examined the fossil of Ixalerpeton, an early pterosaur relative from the Triassic period in Brazil. Using microCT scanning and 3D imaging on more than 30 species, scientists mapped cranial endocasts to identify changes in brain shape that supported flight.

Mario Bronzati, Alexander von Humboldt fellow at the University of Tubingen, led the study. He explained that while information on how birds' brains evolved for flight is well established, the pterosaur brain appeared unique in the evolutionary record. "We've had abundant information about early birds and knew they inherited their basic brain layout from their theropod dinosaur ancestors," Bronzati said. "But pterosaur brains seemed to appear out of nowhere. Now, with our first glimpse of an early pterosaur relative, we see that pterosaurs essentially built their own 'flight computers' from scratch."

Coauthor Lawrence Witmer of Ohio University noted that pterosaurs evolved "flight-ready" brains in parallel with their wing development, while early birds inherited key features from their ancestors. Examination of neural structures revealed that pterosaurs, like birds, possessed enlarged sensory and integrative brain regions, including the cerebrum, cerebellum, and optic lobes.

Ixalerpeton's brain displayed some features found in pterosaurs, such as enlarged optic lobes for improved vision. However, it did not have all the neural adaptations seen in later pterosaurs, such as an expanded cerebellar flocculus, which assists in sensory integration for flight. The researchers found that pterosaurs retained comparatively modest brain sizes. Coauthor Matteo Fabbri of Johns Hopkins University emphasized, "Pterosaurs had much smaller brains than birds, which shows that you may not need a big brain to fly."

The shape of the pterosaur brain resembled that of some small, birdlike dinosaurs, indicating independent evolution. Birds' larger brains arose later, likely due to cognitive demands rather than flight requirements. The team concluded that fieldwork remains crucial to understanding evolutionary origins. Research funding was provided by German, Brazilian, US, European, and Swedish science organizations.

Research Report:Neuroanatomical convergence between pterosaurs and non-avian paravians in the evolution of flight