These tools will no longer be maintained as of December 31, 2024. Archived website can be found here. PubMed4Hh GitHub repository can be found here. Contact NLM Customer Service if you have questions.


Pubmed for Handhelds

PUBMED FOR HANDHELDS

Search MEDLINE/PubMed

  • Title: Egg accumulation with 3D embryos provides insight into the life history of a pterosaur.
    Author: Wang X, Kellner AWA, Jiang S, Cheng X, Wang Q, Ma Y, Paidoula Y, Rodrigues T, Chen H, Sayão JM, Li N, Zhang J, Bantim RAM, Meng X, Zhang X, Qiu R, Zhou Z.
    Journal: Science; 2017 Dec 01; 358(6367):1197-1201. PubMed ID: 29191909.
    Abstract:
    Fossil eggs and embryos that provide unique information about the reproduction and early growth of vertebrates are exceedingly rare, particularly for pterosaurs. Here we report on hundreds of three-dimensional (3D) eggs of the species Hamipterus tianshanensis 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.
    [Abstract] [Full Text] [Related] [New Search]