Fossilized Dinosaur Embryos found in Argentina

Dan Matza-Brown
 
 
 

SUMMARY

In Argentina's Patagonia desert, scientists have found thousands of fossilized dinosaur eggs. They appear to be the eggs of titanosaurs. Titanosaurs are members of the sauropod class of dinosaurs. Sauropods are long-necked, plant-eating dinosaurs, the largest of all the classes of dinosaur. The Patagonia find marks the first recorded discovery of sauropod eggs.

More significantly, the scientists also recovered some fossilized skin of dinosaur embryos. This is the first time such a discovery has been made. These embryo fossils suggest answers to some questions regarding dinosaur reproduction and development.

Based on the massive clusters of eggs found in the region, it seems as if the hundreds of sauropods would gather together to lay eggs. Moreover, the find confirmed the fact that sauropods laid eggs, dispelling theories that they gave live birth to their offspring.

The fossils are between 70 and 90 million years old. The concensus among geologists is that a flooding river buried the eggs; protective mud allowed them to fossilize.
 
 


A detail of the fossilized embryo skin.

LINKS

Abstract of the article (from Nature, 19 November 1998)

Lowell Dingus' account of the expedition

Map of the fossil site
 
 
 
 

INDIVIDUALS/ORGANIZATIONS

Luis M. Chiappe, the leader of the expedition

Rodolfo A. Coria, Lowell Dingus, Frankie Jackson, Anusuya Chinsamy, Marilyn Fox, co-authors of the article

American Museum of Natural History in New York, Chiappe's organization

Sauropods, which according to the New York Times are "giant plant-eating dinosaurs with long necks and tails, huge bodies and four elephant-shaped legs." Hmmmm.... elephant-shaped legs.