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Dinosaur eggshell RAMAN spectroscopy

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ProposalDescription: 

Birds, the descendants of dinosaurs have a rapid incubation period whereas reptiles have a slow incubation period. It has been found that ornithischian dinosaurs had reptilian-like slow incubation periods, possibly disadvantaging them in post-extinction periods when reproductive pressure is increased. Similarly, the composition of eggshells (hard vs soft) also has important implications on the reproductive success of a species as hard-shelled eggs offer the embryos protection. Very little is known about basal sauropodomorph incubation periods and eggshell composition. Some of the world’s oldest known dinosaur eggs and embryos are those of Massospondylus carinatus (clutch of seven eggs, BP/1/5347a), from the Early Jurassic. This makes them an important contributor to our understanding of reproductive biology of archosaurs. Current research has shown that these embryos were only 60% through their incubation period and exhibit the first irrefutable evidence of null-generation teeth as well as functional teeth. The histology of dinosaurian null-generation teeth and how it compares to that of functional-teeth and to modern taxa has not been studied. This can help better understand the evolution of saurian embryonic development. The aims of the proposed project are therefore to 1) compare the histology of the null-generation and functional embryonic teeth in M. carinatus; 2) compare the histology of these teeth to relevant embryonic teeth of extant reptiles (e.g. alligators and geckos); 3) determine the incubation period and temperature of M. carinatus using growth lines of the teeth and 4) elaborate on the microstructure of the eggs using modern techniques (statistical analyses, Raman spectroscopy and histology).

Expanded_Motivation: 

Methodology (short): 1) Scan (BP/1/8118, BP/1/5351, BP/1/5254, BP/1/3740, BP/1/4758, BP/1/6229, BP/1/7818) as well as the broken egg (Embryo 3) from BP/1/5347a at as high a resolution as possible to check for additional embryonic teeth. 2) If Ebner growth lines are not visible in scans, a histological section of the isolated maxilla of Embryo 3 in BP/1/5347a will be necessary (on condition that this is proven to be doable in a crocodile embryo of the same size). 3) Sample 1x1 mm of eggshell and 1x1mm of matrix from BP/1/8118, BP/1/5351, BP/1/5254, BP/1/3740, BP/1/4758, BP/1/6229, BP/1/7818, as well as the broken egg (Embryo 3) from BP/1/5347a. These samples will be analysed using RAMAN spectroscopy in order to determine molecular composition. 4) A few milligrams of eggshell from BP/1/8118, BP/1/5351, BP/1/5254, BP/1/3740, BP/1/4758, BP/1/6229, BP/1/7818 and the broken egg (Embryo 3) from BP/1/5347a (3mg) as well as an embryonic bone sample from the same isolated maxilla of Embryo 3 BP/1/5347a (10mg) will be necessary for incubation temperature analyses. These will be kept aside from the previous points. Damage/destructive analysis? (if yes, explain in detail) In order to perform a RAMAN spectroscopy analysis to determine the molecular composition of the eggshells, a small eggshell sample needs to be extracted. In order to calibrate the analysis, a small sample of surrounding matrix needs to be extracted. If the Ebner growth lines are not visible in the scan of the embryonic teeth, these will have to be sectioned for histological study. Statement why this study cannot be done in South Africa: The eggshell RAMAN spectroscopy specialists work at the AMNH in New York and at Yale University. The laboratory capable of embedding and sectioning embryonic teeth is in Florida. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a date for travel to the USA cannot as yet be established. However, this will be done as soon as conditions permit. The intension is to carry out the sampling in South Africa, so that entire specimens do not need to be exported. Therefore, a destructive sampling permit is sought now, so that samples may be obtained in good time, and an export permit applied for when travel arrangements have been made.

ApplicationDate: 

Friday, October 2, 2020 - 12:23

CaseID: 

15584

OtherReferences: 

ReferenceList: 

Images
BP/1/3740
BP/1/4758
BP/1/5254
BP/1/5351
BP/1/7818
BP/1/8118
 
 

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