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A comparative embryological study of two ornithischian dinosaurs

Nature volume 332, pages 256–257 (1988)Cite this article

A Correction to this article was published on 05 September 1996

Abstract

Embryonic dinosaur remains are extremely rare1,2 and with the exception of the specimens described here, are so fragmentary that they have yielded little or no information useful for palaeobiological interpretation. We report here the first well-documented association of dinosaur eggs containing embryos, juveniles and adults from the fossil record. The material, attributable to a new hypsilophodontid, Orodromeus makelai, n. gen., n. sp., and the hadrosaurid Maiasaura peeblesorum, comes from the Upper Cretaceous Two Medicine Formation of western Montana3. Osteo-logical and histological studies of these two animals indicate structural and morphological adaptations for their respective growth patterns and neonate behaviour.

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Author notes

  1. David B. Weishampel: Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, The Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Museum of the Rockies, Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana, 59717, USA

    John R. Horner & David B. Weishampel

Authors
  1. John R. Horner
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  2. David B. Weishampel
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Horner, J., Weishampel, D. A comparative embryological study of two ornithischian dinosaurs. Nature 332, 256–257 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1038/332256a0

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