恐龙舌喉骨是恐龙研究的重要材料, 对研究恐龙功能、行为、生态、演化等方面有重要作用。尽管大部分恐龙主要类群保存舌喉骨材料, 但大部分仅保存第一对角鳃骨, 其他组分保存很少。因现有材料缺乏, 导致相关研究受限。基于现生爬行类与鸟类舌喉骨与相关软组织的研究, 目前研究发现恐龙舌喉骨在恐龙取食、呼吸、 发声等方面有重要的功能, 还影响了非鸟恐龙和鸟类的食性与发声, 并与鸣管的起源和演化有密切关系,所以相关研究需进一步深入。鉴于恐龙舌喉骨研究化石材料受限于研究深度与广度尚浅的问题, 未来相关研究一方面需收集更多化石材料并对已有的材料进行重新更详尽地描述、鉴定与对比, 另一方面需结合比较解剖学、统计学、系统发育学等各种不同研究方法对其进行更深入且全面的研究, 以帮助更深入地理解恐龙舌喉骨的形态、 功能与演化。本文总结了目前恐龙舌喉骨形态与功能相关研究的结果, 对部分恐龙舌喉骨形态功能进行了讨论与推测, 并对目前相关研究队伍问题提出了可行的建议。

The hyolaryngeal apparatuses of dinosaurs are important in studying dinosaur biology and they play a significant role in understanding multiple aspects of their functions, behaviors, ecology, and evolution. Although fossils of hyolaryngeal apparatuses of most major dinosaur clades have been reported, in most specimens only the first pair of ceratobranchials is preserved while other elements are rarely documented. Consequently, related research has been limited by the scarcity of well-preserved specimens. Studies of extant reptiles and birds indicate that hyolaryngeal apparatus is important for several functions in dinosaurs, including feeding, breathing, and acoustic behavior. These functions likely influenced the evolution of diet and vocalization in non-avian dinosaurs and birds. The function and evolution of dinosaur hyolaryngeal apparatuses are also strongly associated with the origin and evolution of avian syrinx. Given its importance for understanding dinosaur functional anatomy, ecology, and evolution, further research is necessary. Progress in this field is currently constrained not only by the limited availability of fossil materials, but also by the lack of studies with broader scope or greater analytical depth. To address these challenges, we propose focusing on several key areas to advance understanding of the dinosaur hyolaryngeal morphology, function, and evolution: (1) collecting more specimens with well-preserved hyolaryngeal structures; (2) providing more detailed descriptions, accurate identifications, and comprehensive comparisons with existing specimens; and (3) conducting advanced analyses using multiple approaches, including comparative anatomy, quantitative methods, and phylogenetic analysis. In this paper, we summarize current research on the dinosaur hyolaryngeal apparatus and further discuss and infer the morphological and functional characteristics of select taxa. We also provide practical suggestions for addressing major challenges in the field, laying a foundation for future research.

国家自然科学基金项目(42288201)资助