Journal
HISTORICAL BIOLOGY
Volume 27, Issue 1, Pages 115-133Publisher
TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD
DOI: 10.1080/08912963.2013.871009
Keywords
rugosocavate pore canals type; Extant and fossil crocodyliform eggshells; Crocodylus mindorensis; Alligator mississippiensis; Paleosuchus palpebrosus; eggshell structures
Categories
Funding
- FCT, Portugal [PTDC/BIA-EVF/113222/2009]
- Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia [PTDC/BIA-EVF/113222/2009] Funding Source: FCT
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Eggshells from the three extant crocodilian species Crocodylus mindorensis (Philippine Crocodile), Paleosuchus palpebrosus (Cuvier's Smooth-fronted Caiman or Musky Caiman) and Alligator mississippiensis (American Alligator or Common Alligator) were prepared for thin section and scanning electron microscope analyses and are described in order to improve the knowledge on crocodilian eggs anatomy and microstructure, and to find new apomorphies that can be used for identification. Both extant and fossil crocodilian eggs present an ornamentation that vary as anastomo-, ramo- or the here newly described rugosocavate type. The angusticaniculate pore system is a shared character for Crocodylomorpha eggshells and some dinosaurian and avian groups. Previously reported signs of incubated crocodilian eggs were found also on our only fertilised and hatched egg. Paleosuchus palpebrosus presents unique organization and morphology of the three eggshell layers, with a relatively thin middle layer characterised by dense and compact tabular microstructure.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available