Reptiles, including birds, exhibit a range of behaviorally relevant adaptations that are reflected in changes to the structure of the inner ear. These adaptations include the capacity for flight and sensitivity to high-frequency sound. We used three-dimensional morphometric analyses of a large sample of extant and extinct reptiles to investigate inner ear correlates of locomotor ability and hearing acuity. Statistical analyses revealed three vestibular morphotypes, best explained by three locomotor categories—quadrupeds, bipeds and simple fliers (including bipedal nonavialan dinosaurs), and high-maneuverability fliers. Troodontids fall with Archaeopteryx among the extant low-maneuverability fliers. Analyses of cochlear shape revealed a single instance of elongation, on the stem of Archosauria. We suggest that this transformation coincided with the origin of both high-pitched juvenile location, alarm, and hatching-synchronization calls and adult responses to them.

包括鸟类在内的爬行动物表现出一系列与行为相关的适应，这些适应反映在内耳结构的变化中。这些适应性包括飞行能力和对高频声音的敏感性。我们对大量现存和灭绝的爬行动物样本进行了三维形态测量分析，以研究运动能力和听力敏锐度的内耳相关性。统计分析揭示了三种前庭形态类型，最好用三种运动类别来解释——四足动物、双足动物和简单的飞行者（包括双足非鸟类恐龙）和高机动性飞行者。伤齿龙科与始祖鸟一起坠落在现存的低机动性飞行员中。对耳蜗形状的分析显示，在 Archosauria 的茎上有一个单独的伸长实例。我们认为，这种转变与高音调的少年定位、警报和孵化同步呼叫以及成人对它们的反应的起源相吻合。