Topic
Macroelongatoolithus
About: Macroelongatoolithus is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 11 publications have been published within this topic receiving 200 citations.
Papers
TL;DR: The first known association between skeletal remains and eggs of caenagnathid-Macroelongatoolithus association revealed here suggests these dinosaurs were relatively common during the early Late Cretaceous.
Abstract: The abundance of dinosaur eggs in Upper Cretaceous strata of Henan Province, China led to the collection and export of countless such fossils. One of these specimens, recently repatriated to China, is a partial clutch of large dinosaur eggs (Macroelongatoolithus) with a closely associated small theropod skeleton. Here we identify the specimen as an embryo and eggs of a new, large caenagnathid oviraptorosaur, Beibeilong sinensis. This specimen is the first known association between skeletal remains and eggs of caenagnathids. Caenagnathids and oviraptorids share similarities in their eggs and clutches, although the eggs of Beibeilong are significantly larger than those of oviraptorids and indicate an adult body size comparable to a gigantic caenagnathid. An abundance of Macroelongatoolithus eggs reported from Asia and North America contrasts with the dearth of giant caenagnathid skeletal remains. Regardless, the large caenagnathid-Macroelongatoolithus association revealed here suggests these dinosaurs were relatively common during the early Late Cretaceous. The fossil dinosaur embryo ‘Baby Louie’ and associated clutch of eggs were first discovered in the early 1990s, but were not formally described. Here, the authors identify the specimen as an embryo and eggs of the new large caenagnathid oviraptorosaur,Beibeilong sinensis, from the Late Cretaceous of China.
48 citations
TL;DR: Giant dinosaur eggs from the Liangtoutang Formation of the Tiantai basin in Zhejiang Province in southeastern China were discovered by as discussed by the authors.The 43 cm × 14.5 cm eggs represent the first discovery of Macroelongatoolithus xixiaensis specimens from the region.
Abstract: Giant dinosaur eggs occur within the mid-Cretaceous Liangtoutang Formation of the Tiantai basin in Zhejiang Province of southeastern China. The 43 cm × 14.5 cm eggs represent the first discovery of Macroelongatoolithus xixiaensis specimens from the region. The eggshell exhibits variation in surface ornamentation and eggshell thickness, with smoother and thicker eggshell characteristic of the poles. The Tiantai eggs differ from the stratigraphically younger type specimen of Macroelongatoolithus xixiaensis from Henan Province in their mammillary to continuous layer ratio. Three new features potentially useful for phylogenetic analysis and previously unreported in Macroelongatoolithus and other eggs in the oofamily Elongatoolithidae include prismatic columns, tabular structure within the prisms, and "splaying" of the crystals in the upper mammillae that extend into the overlying continuous layer. Microstructural features of the two nearly complete eggs suggest that the specimens are referable to a potentiall...
44 citations
TL;DR: The thickness, ornamentation, and elongatoolithid microstructure indicate that the holotype and referred materials assigned to Boletuoolithus carlylensis are indistinguishable from the Asian elongatoolsithid Macroelongatoolithsus xixiaensis.
Abstract: Theropod eggshell is identified for the first time from the Lower Cretaceous of North America. Eggshell microstructure and variability in ornamentation and thickness of this material is comparable to that present in elongatoolithid theropod eggs, known previously only from Asia. This identification is based on re-examination of the holotype of the putative spheroolithid Boletuoolithus carlylensis and description of additional eggshell fragments from the Lower Cretaceous of Utah. This oospecies is characterized by the ornithoid-ratite morphotype (i.e., of theropod parentage) and not, as recently suggested, by the dinosauroid-prolatospherulitic morphotype (i.e., of ornithopod parentage). Additionally, Boletuoolithus carlylensis includes a much broader range of eggshell morphologies than previously described: eggshell thickness ranges from 1.38–3.04 mm, ornamentation is remarkably variable, and sometimes the typical elongatoolithid microstructure is altered by extreme development of both the ornamen...
37 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the first occurrence of a complete Macroelongatoolithus clutch from outside China was reported, excavated from Upper Cretaceous strata of Aphae-do in Shinan-gun, Jeollanam-do Province, South Korea.
Abstract: Here, we report the first occurrence of a complete Macroelongatoolithus clutch from outside of China. Excavated from Upper Cretaceous strata of Aphae-do in Shinan-gun, Jeollanam-do Province, South ...
27 citations
1 Jan 2010
TL;DR: Macroelongatoolithid eggs from the Upper Cretaceous Chichengshan Formation in the Tiantai Basin,Zhejiang Province include two taxa as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: Macroelongatoolithid eggs from the Upper Cretaceous Chichengshan Formation in the Tiantai Basin,Zhejiang Province include two taxa:Macroelongatoolithus xixiaensis and Megafusoolithus qiaoxiaensis oogen.et oosp.nov.They are differentiated by the eggshell microstructure and the ornamentation on the outer surface of the eggshell.The diagnosis of Macroelongatoolithus is revised.This oogenus is characterized by its large,elongate,symmetrical shape;nodular ornamentation of the outer surface of the eggshell;abrupt boundary between the cone and columnar layers,and a thickness ratio of 1∶5 to 1∶2 of these layers.Megafusoolithus qiaoxiaensis oogen.et oosp.nov.(IVPP V16965) is diagnosed by its large,elongate shape,ridged ornamentation of the outer surface of the eggshell,and ambiguous boundary between the cone layer and columnar layer.These two oogenera share some characters such as the large elongated and symmetrical spindle-shape,exceeding 35 cm in length,and a shape index ranging from 32.5 to 36.8.The eggs are generally grouped in pairs in the nest and arranged in one single circular layer with a diameter of about 3 m.The microstructure of the eggshell is avian-like,composed on a cone layer and a columnar layer.All these characteristics are significantly different from those of other egg taxa,and are considered to be unique to the oofamily Macroelongatoolithidae.Macroelongatoolithus zhangi and Longiteresoolithus xixiaensis are here regarded as junior synonyms of Macroelongatoolithus xixiaensis.
20 citations
Related Topics (5)
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| Year | Papers |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |