A 100-million-year-old snapshot of an ancient ecosystem in Utah has been uncovered through the study of dinosaur eggs. Fossils from the Mussentuchit Member of the Cedar Mountain Formation have revealed a bustling scene where dinosaurs, early mammals, and crocodile relatives shared watering holes.
Researchers analyzed over 4,000 eggshell fragments from 20 sites, which shattered the assumption that only one type of dinosaur egg existed in these sediments. Instead, they found six distinct species of eggs belonging to oviraptorosaurs, ornithopods, and even a previously unknown crocodylomorph.
The study suggests that multiple species of each group coexisted in this Utah ecosystem around 100 million years ago. The analysis also reveals that the eggs were carefully selected for burial by parents, taking into account factors such as soil moisture, vegetation cover, and groundwater chemistry.
The discovery highlights the complexity of ancient ecosystems and challenges textbook diagrams of food webs. By studying these tiny eggshells, scientists can uncover clues about the past, including climate data and the behavior of ancient animals.
This study provides a unique window into the rhythms of ancient life in Utah’s badlands, which still hold many secrets to be uncovered. Paleontologists will continue to comb through the gullies for more clues, shedding light on one of Earth’s most fascinating eras.
Source: https://www.earth.com/news/100-million-year-old-dinosaur-eggs-show-glimpses-of-life-in-jurassic-america