Author:
Xing Lida,Niu Kecheng,Yang Tzu-Ruei,Wang Donghao,Miyashita Tetsuto,Mallon Jordan C.
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Dinosaur eggs containing embryos are rare, limiting our understanding of dinosaur development. Recently, a clutch of subspherical dinosaur eggs was discovered while blasting for a construction project in the Upper Cretaceous red beds (Hekou Formation) of the Ganzhou Basin, Jiangxi Province, China. At least two of the eggs contain identifiable hadrosauroid embryos, described here for the first time.
Results
The eggs, attributable to Spheroolithidae indet., are thin-walled and small (~ 660 mL) compared to those of Lambeosaurinae. The shape of the embryonic squamosal is reminiscent of that seen in the Late Cretaceous hadrosauroids Levnesovia transoxiana, Tanius sinensis, and Nanningosaurus dashiensis, suggestive of possible affinities.
Conclusion
The small size of the eggs and embryos, similar to those of Hadrosaurinae, indicates that the larger eggs and hatchlings typical of Lambeosaurinae are evolutionarily derived.
Funder
National Natural Science Foundation of China
111 Project
Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities
Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
Canadian Museum of Nature
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
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