A team of researchers recently announced the discovery of what is called the smallest dinosaur egg ever found in the world. This exceptional fossil was recovered in Chinain the city of Ganzhou, and dates back to about 80 million years ago, precisely to the late Cretaceous period.
Surprisingly, the egg measures just 29 millimeters in length, even smaller than a 50 cents pound coin, which measures 30 millimetres. The find not only breaks the previous record of 45.5 mm set in Zhejiang province, but opens new perspectives on the diversity of dinosaur species and their reproductive habits.
A perfectly preserved fossil, a window into the past
The scholars dedicated three years to the study of six almost perfect fossil eggs, found in a nest preserved with great care. The specimens were found accidentally during construction work, bringing to light a discovery that has allowed us to deepen our knowledge of the evolution of non-avian species.
Using advanced techniques, such as micro-CTexperts have determined that these are most likely eggs of non-avian theropod dinosaurs. Theropods were a group of carnivorous dinosaurs which included well-known species, such as Tyrannosaurus rex.
This small egg and its nest offer us important details on the evolution and reproduction of these ancient predators. Thanks to modern technologies, it is possible to study the structure of the shells in depth and hypothesize how these dinosaurs built and preserved their nests. The new discoveries add diversity to our database of information on Late Cretaceous dinosaurs, shedding light on previously unseen aspects of their life cycle.
