stagnant, and acidic environment. As in Macrocnemus, the concentration of this material at the base of the tail suggests that the specimen had a quite noticeable amount of muscle behind its hips. Brain and inner ear Impressions on the frontal bones of Tanystropheus longobardicus fossils indicate that that species at least had a bulbous forebrain with paired olfactory bulbs. The complete braincase of Tanystropheus hydroides specimen PIMUZ T 2790 allowed for a partial reconstruction of the brain cavity and inner ear via a digital endocast. The flocculus is large and broad and leads forward to a cerebellum which is narrowest between the endosseus labyrinth (inner ear canals). A large flocculus may relate to greater head and eye stabilization, though evidence is inconclusive. Long-necked sauropods show a reduction of the flocculus and there is no clear correlation between flocculus size and function in modern mammals and birds. Like other reptiles, Tanystropheus has three thin semicircular canals ringing out of the inner ear. Tanystropheus likely stayed in shallow waters or on land, since it lacks the thick semicircular canals of deep-diving seabirds. The anterior semicircular canal, which curves up and around the flocculus, is enlarged. The posterior semicircular canal (which slopes backwards and outwards from the brain) is smaller, as is the lateral semicircular canal (which arches outwards). The lateral semicircular canal is nearly horizontal in orientation, which possibly relates to a horizontal head posture. There is also a long straight cochlear duct extending outwards, and a long cochlear duct typically indicates good hearing ability in living reptiles. Terrestrial capabilities The lifestyle of Tanystropheus is controversial, with different studies favoring a terrestrial or aquatic lifestyle for the animal. Major studies on Tanystropheus anatomy and ecology by Rupert Wild in the 1970s argued that it was an active terrestrial predator, keeping its head held high with an S-shaped flexion. Though this interpretation is not wholly consistent with its proposed neck biomechanics, more recent studies have supported the idea that Tanystropheus was fully capable of movement on land. Renesto (2005) argued that Tanystropheus lacked clear adaptations for underwater swimming. The tail of Tanystropheus was compressed vertically (from top-to-bottom) at the base and thinned towards the tip, so that it would have been useless for lateral (side-to-side) movement. The long neck and short front limbs compared to the long hind limbs would have made four-limbed swimming inefficient and unstable if that was the preferred form