Egg accumulation with 3D embryos provides insight into the life history of a pterosaur

2017/11/30 by Xiaolin Wang, Alexander W. A. Kellner, Shunxing Jiang +14 · 1 voice · 8 citations
Earth and Planetary Sciences · Environmental Science · #Paleontology and Evolutionary Biology #Ichthyology and Marine Biology #Turtle Biology and Conservation

paper · doi:10.1126/science.aan2329

openalex publication_date 2017/11/30 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/01

Abstract

from a Lower Cretaceous site in China, 16 of which contain embryonic remains. Computed tomography scanning, osteohistology, and micropreparation reveal that some bones lack extensive ossification in potentially late-term embryos, suggesting that hatchlings might have been flightless and less precocious than previously assumed. The geological context, including at least four levels with embryos and eggs, indicates that this deposit was formed by a rare combination of events, with storms acting on a nesting ground. This discovery supports colonial nesting behavior and potential nesting site fidelity in the Pterosauria.

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Discussions

• Egg accumulation with 3D embryos provides insight into the life history of a pterosaur https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aan2329 via @paleotaissa @sciencemagazine [bsky, 0 points, 0 comments]