New oviraptorid embryos from Bugin-Tsav, Nemegt Formation (Upper Cretaceous), Mongolia, with insights into their habitat and growth

Document Type

Article

Date of Original Version

12-12-2008

Abstract

Eggs containing well-preserved skeletons were collected from Bugin-tsav, an Upper Cretaceous locality in the Nemegt Formation, Ömnögov' Aimag, Mongolia. These embryos, found in a weathered nest of eggs, are oviraptorid theropods. Eggshell morphotype is Elongatoolithidae, typical of theropods, including basal birds. Bone histology indicates that all embryos were probably close to hatching, based on the degree of ossification and in comparison with ossification patterns in living birds. Maturity of ossification indicates that oviraptorids hatched at a precocial stage of development. Two of the embryos are relatively large, while the other is 25% smaller, suggesting that size disparity of hatchlings in oviraptorids may be a consequence of asynchrony in egg laying. © 2008 by the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology.

Publication Title, e.g., Journal

Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology

Volume

28

Issue

4

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