title: Computed tomographic evaluation of dinosaur egg shell integrity.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine whether computed tomography (CT) could be used to identify hatching holes in partially embedded dinosaur eggs. One Faveololithus and two Dendroolithus eggs were examined using a fourth generation CT scanner. The eggs were partially embedded in a fossilized sediment matrix, with the exposed portion of the shell appearing intact. In CT images of all three eggs, the shells appeared hyperdense relative to the matrix. Hatching holes were visible as large gaps in the embedded portion of the shell, with inwardly displaced shell fragments. It was concluded that CT is an effective technique for nondestructively assessing dinosaur egg shell integrity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Virgina-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA.
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Greenberg
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Ayers
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002681:China; D004528:Egg Shell / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005580:Fossils; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D010063:Ovum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012104:Reptiles / Q000145:classification; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods