Ancient furry mammals had big brains for smell

This undated artists reconstruction image provided by the magazine Science, shows Hadrocodium wui. A new analysis of some of the earliest mammal-like creatures shows their complex brain evolved in three major stages starting with the regions that handle the sense of smell. (AP Photo/Mark A. Klinger, Carnegie Museum of Natural History via Science)

This undated image provided by the magazine Science, shows CT scan of the Hadrocodium skull, highlighted to show where the brain was. A new analysis of some of the earliest mammal-like creatures shows their complex brain evolved in three major stages starting with the regions that handle the sense of smell. (AP Photo/Matt Colbert, University of Texas at Austin via Science)

Skull scans on two of the oldest known mammal species have shown their brains were large and well-developed in areas that promote a strong sense of smell, scientists said on Thursday.

Researchers believe the mammalian brain evolved in three stages -- first the boost in sense of smell, then the ability to touch and feel through body hair, and finally the brain coordination to produce "skilled muscle movement."

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