A long-standing debate over dinosaur eggs has been resolved by an international research team, including Seoul National University. The team analyzed fossilized eggs from China, Spain, and the US and found that their unique structure was formed through a biological process.
The discovery confirms that dinosaur eggs were structurally similar to modern reptilian eggs from the beginning. The eggshell is made of minerals accumulated from the membranes surrounding the embryo, similar to today’s reptiles. However, some fossils showed a “Secondary Eggshell Unit” structure, which grew mineral crystals in a fractal pattern, not just from the membrane but also from other locations.
Researchers compared dinosaur eggs with those of turtles and crocodiles using an electron microscope. They found that the unique structure of dinosaur eggs is formed as minerals grow on organic fibers, similar to modern reptiles. The team suggests that environmental and species characteristics may have varied in the formation of these structures.
The discovery supports the connection between dinosaurs and today’s birds and reptiles. A researcher at the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology stated that the structure of dinosaur eggshells was formed through a biological developmental process, providing an important clue for understanding evolutionary relationships.
This research demonstrates the benefits of interdisciplinary approaches, combining paleontology with modern biology. The team plans to continue this type of research in the future, using modern organisms alongside fossil samples.
Source: https://biz.chosun.com/en/en-science/2025/05/31/GHKL462QLFGR7NN57WBJ6J25GU