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Hechenleitner EM, Fernandez Blanco MV, Núñez-Campero SR, Fiorelli LE, Bona P. Unexpected morphological variability in the eggshells of the South American caimans Caiman latirostris and Caiman yacare. Sci Rep 2023; 13:4894. [PMID: 36966165 PMCID: PMC10039913 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-31837-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Eggshell morphology is a valuable indicator of the local conditions within the nests of modern crocodilians and birds. In contrast to these latter, the anatomical structure of the eggshells of most crocodilian species is practically unknown. Here, we provide the first characterization of crocodilian eggshells, using x-ray micro-CT scans. We studied eggshells of Caiman latirostris and Caiman yacare from various developmental stages that coincide with the beginning of embryonic ossification. The new 3D renderings revealed complex ornamentation, unique among crocodilians, and amphora-shaped pore canals, some of which converge in single pore openings. We also documented a high density of pore canals with a gas diffusion capacity 45 times higher than the average predicted for modern avian eggshells. The external ornamentation and the thickness of the compact layer of the eggshells (i.e. excluding ornamentation) showed ontogenetic and interspecific differences that could be related to nesting materials and nesting areas selected by each species. The shell features described here evidence a greater structural complexity than previously recognized in phylogenetically close, sympatric crocodilian species. Further comprehensive morphological analyses on other modern and fossil crocodilian eggshells using micro-CT technology will shed new light on the evolution of reproductive strategies in this intriguing archosaur clade.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Martín Hechenleitner
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Godoy Cruz 2290, C1425FQB, CABA, Argentina.
- Centro Regional de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia Tecnológica de La Rioja (CRILAR), Provincia de La Rioja, UNLaR, SEGEMAR, UNCa, CONICET, Entre Ríos y Mendoza S/N, 5301, Anillaco, La Rioja, Argentina.
- Instituto de Biología de La Conservación y Paleobiología (IBICOPA) DACEFyN-UNLaR, Av. Gob. Vernet y Apóstol Felipe, 5300, La Rioja, Argentina.
| | - María V Fernandez Blanco
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Godoy Cruz 2290, C1425FQB, CABA, Argentina.
- División Paleontología Vertebrados, Anexo II Laboratorios del Museo de La Plata, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Calles 122 y 60, B1900FWA, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Segundo R Núñez-Campero
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Godoy Cruz 2290, C1425FQB, CABA, Argentina
- Centro Regional de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia Tecnológica de La Rioja (CRILAR), Provincia de La Rioja, UNLaR, SEGEMAR, UNCa, CONICET, Entre Ríos y Mendoza S/N, 5301, Anillaco, La Rioja, Argentina
- Instituto de Biología de La Conservación y Paleobiología (IBICOPA) DACEFyN-UNLaR, Av. Gob. Vernet y Apóstol Felipe, 5300, La Rioja, Argentina
| | - Lucas E Fiorelli
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Godoy Cruz 2290, C1425FQB, CABA, Argentina
- Centro Regional de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia Tecnológica de La Rioja (CRILAR), Provincia de La Rioja, UNLaR, SEGEMAR, UNCa, CONICET, Entre Ríos y Mendoza S/N, 5301, Anillaco, La Rioja, Argentina
| | - Paula Bona
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Godoy Cruz 2290, C1425FQB, CABA, Argentina
- División Paleontología Vertebrados, Anexo II Laboratorios del Museo de La Plata, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Calles 122 y 60, B1900FWA, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Choi S, Hauber ME, Legendre LJ, Kim NH, Lee YN, Varricchio DJ. Microstructural and crystallographic evolution of palaeognath (Aves) eggshells. eLife 2023; 12:e81092. [PMID: 36719067 PMCID: PMC9889092 DOI: 10.7554/elife.81092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The avian palaeognath phylogeny has been recently revised significantly due to the advancement of genome-wide comparative analyses and provides the opportunity to trace the evolution of the microstructure and crystallography of modern dinosaur eggshells. Here, eggshells of all major clades of Palaeognathae (including extinct taxa) and selected eggshells of Neognathae and non-avian dinosaurs are analysed with electron backscatter diffraction. Our results show the detailed microstructures and crystallographies of (previously) loosely categorized ostrich-, rhea-, and tinamou-style morphotypes of palaeognath eggshells. All rhea-style eggshell appears homologous, while respective ostrich-style and tinamou-style morphotypes are best interpreted as homoplastic morphologies (independently acquired). Ancestral state reconstruction and parsimony analysis additionally show that rhea-style eggshell represents the ancestral state of palaeognath eggshells both in microstructure and crystallography. The ornithological and palaeontological implications of the current study are not only helpful for the understanding of evolution of modern and extinct dinosaur eggshells, but also aid other disciplines where palaeognath eggshells provide useful archive for comparative contrasts (e.g. palaeoenvironmental reconstructions, geochronology, and zooarchaeology).
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Affiliation(s)
- Seung Choi
- Department of Earth Sciences, Montana State UniversityBozemanUnited States
- Key Laboratory of Vertebrate Evolution and Human Origins of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Mark E Hauber
- Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Behavior, School of Integrative Biology, University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignUrbanaUnited States
| | - Lucas J Legendre
- Department of Geological Sciences, University of Texas at AustinAustinUnited States
| | - Noe-Heon Kim
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Seoul National UniversitySeoulRepublic of Korea
- Department of Geosciences, Princeton UniversityPrincetonUnited States
| | - Yuong-Nam Lee
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Seoul National UniversitySeoulRepublic of Korea
| | - David J Varricchio
- Department of Earth Sciences, Montana State UniversityBozemanUnited States
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Qiu Y, Hou Y, Zhang S, Jin L, Zhou J, Chen J. Study on the preparation and properties of CaCO 3 ultrafine powder derived from waste eggshell. ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY 2022:1-10. [PMID: 36305563 DOI: 10.1080/09593330.2022.2141664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
In this study, eggshell-derived CaCO3 ultrafine powder was prepared from waste eggshell with the method of omnidirectional planetary ball mill. The particle size distribution was measured by laser particle size analyzer. Then, the parameters of grinding kinetic equation of eggshell powder were obtained by software fitting, and the grinding model and characteristic equation of particle-size distribution of the eggshell-derived CaCO3 powder were discussed. The results showed that the best grinding conditions were as follows: using 3 mm zirconia grinding ball, 400 rpm, 50% filling rate, 50% slurry concentration, and ball-milling time of 30 min. The grinding kinetic equation can well simulate the eggshell crushing process. The equation showed that with the prolongation of milling time, the large particle size of the eggshell powder gradually decreased, and the milling efficiency was 0 after 60 min. The Rosin-Rammler-Bennet distribution model could be used to describe the distribution characteristics of the cumulative particle size of the eggshell powder, and the fitting degree of particle size distribution at each milling time could reach R2 > 0.99. No chemical change occurred in the eggshell powder before and after grinding. However, the calcite crystal structure of eggshell-derived CaCO3 ultrafine powder becomes incomplete.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Qiu
- College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuyang Hou
- College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Shiyu Zhang
- College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Leilei Jin
- College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Jun Zhou
- College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
| | - Jishuang Chen
- College of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China
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Kucharska-Gaca J, Adamski M, Biesek J. The age of the geese from the parent flock and the laying period affect the features of the eggs. Poult Sci 2022; 101:102094. [PMID: 36055027 PMCID: PMC9449861 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2022.102094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The study aimed to assess the goose hatching egg features in four reproductive seasons from 3 stages of laying. Three hundred sixty eggs were used in the study from geese in the first, second, third, and fourth laying season. From each group, 90 eggs were analyzed (30 eggs from the beginning, the peak, and the end of the laying cycle). The structure of the egg and morphological and physical features of the yolk, albumen, and eggshell were analyzed. It was shown that the weight and structure of eggs increased, but the shape index was lower in 2-yr-old geese, as well Haugh's units decreased. The yolk share was lower in the first year, but albumen and eggshell were higher than in other groups. The eggshell whiteness was higher in the first year than in the second, and third. The pores’ quantity was higher in the first year in the blunt and equatorial parts, but the total number in the egg was the highest in the fourth year. The yolk, albumen, and eggshell' density increased with the age. Changes in laying periods were inversely proportional to the changes shown depending on the layers’ age. Geese's age and laying period impact the eggs’ features. Based on the egg quality features, the incubation conditions could be adapted, as well as it can be treated as an indicator of the effectiveness of hatching and goslings quality. Research has shown that the biological value of hatching eggs changes with the age of the geese and the laying period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Kucharska-Gaca
- Department of Animal Breeding and Nutrition, Faculty of Animal Breeding and Biology, Bydgoszcz University of Science and Technology, 85-084 Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Marek Adamski
- Department of Animal Breeding and Nutrition, Faculty of Animal Breeding and Biology, Bydgoszcz University of Science and Technology, 85-084 Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Jakub Biesek
- Department of Animal Breeding and Nutrition, Faculty of Animal Breeding and Biology, Bydgoszcz University of Science and Technology, 85-084 Bydgoszcz, Poland.
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Analysis of ultrastructure and microstructure of blackbird (Turdus merula) and song thrush (Turdus philomelos) eggshell by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray computed microtomography. Sci Rep 2022; 12:11857. [PMID: 35831392 PMCID: PMC9279409 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-16033-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The unique structure of the egg allows for efficient reproduction on land. Although the functions of the egg are ensured by the concomitant cooperation of all its structures, the eggshell also plays a significant role. Apart from maintaining an aqueous environment within the egg along with controlled gas exchange, the color and pigmentation pattern of eggshell contributes to identification and protection. As a result of all these functions, the structure, shape, and pigmentation of eggshell greatly vary across the class of birds, and understanding these three variability-determining factors may aid in better interpretation of evolutionary mechanisms. In this study, we analyzed for the first time the structure, mineral composition, and characteristics of the pigmentation of blackbird (Turdus merula) and song thrush (Turdus philomelos) eggshells. The shell of blackbird eggs is much thicker compared to the shell of song thrush eggs which is due to a much thicker crystalline and palisade layers. In both species, strongly elongated mammillary knobs are observed, which create a large space between the mineralized shell and the egg membranes. The blackbird egg shell has a higher water vapor conductivity which is due to the larger diameter of the circle and the surface area of individual pores. The primary compound entering the mineral composition of the shell in both species is CaCO3 however, the thrush egg shells contained more Mg in all layers except the crystalline layer, and S in the crystalline and palisade layers. The two species clearly differ in the size and distribution of pigment spots on the eggshell. We suppose that the differences in shell structure and pigmentation presented in this study may in the future provide a basis for explaining the reasons for the much lower reproductive efficiency of song thrush compared to blackbird.
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