infocus #24 December 2011 The Hidden Secrets of Dinosaur Eggs

Patrick Trimby and Gerald Grellet-Tinne use analytical scanning electron microscopy to reveal the hidden secrets of dinosaur eggs.

DOI: 10.22443/rms.inf.1.76

In this article we take a new look at the structure of fossilised eggshells, using an advanced scanning electron microscopy technique: electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). The resulting maps, highlighting the crystallographic structure of the shells with sub-micrometre resolution, are both beautiful and essential for the rigorous characterisation of the shells. We demonstrate how this new application of a technique predominantly used in materials science can assist palaeontologists with the complex task of assigning dinosaur eggs to specific taxa.

Return to listing

Authors

Dr Patrick Trimby

The Australian Centre for Microscopy & Microanalysis, The University of Sydney

Patrick has been working in electron microscopy for over 17 years. Following a degree in geology at Oxford University, he completed his PhD at the University of Liverpool, focusing on the use of electron diffraction and imaging techniques to understand the microstructures of deformed rocks. A short spell as a postdoctoral researcher at Utrecht University in the Netherlands was followed by a decade in commercial electron microscopy. During this time he worked as an applications specialist in SEM based microanalysis, with a particular emphasis on electron backscatter diffraction. In 2010 he returned to academia, taking up a position at the Australian Centre for Microscopy & Microanalysis at the University of Sydney, where he currently holds the position of SEM manager. Patrick spends a large amount of his time helping users from across the complete spectrum of science to get the best out of the fantastic equipment available to them, as well as assisting and collaborating with visiting researchers.

Dr Gerald Grellet-Tinner

The Field Museum, Chicago, The Journey Museum, Rapid City & CONICET, Argentina

Gerald completed his PhD at the University of Southern California in 2005 focusing on the palaeontology and palaeobiology (namely) of the dinosaur lineage that led to modern birds. He became intrigued by the palaeobiology of extinct and modern dinosaurs and their nesting paleoenvironments. His research led to a few important discoveries and over 25 publications in professional journals, including Nature. The latest discovery describes the association of geothermal environments as preferred nesting sites for the giant sauropod dinosaurs. However, to understand the world of these giants, he extensively uses the minuscule features of their egg and eggshell microstructures for taxonomic identifications and functional morphology. He specialised in the use of SEM, BESEM, and CL, and now applies new microcharacterisations (EBSD, micro and nano-CT) in collaboration with the Sydney ACMM researchers to further elucidate the palaeobiology of extinct oviparous vertebrates, which in turn helps understanding the ecology and preservation of their modern counterparts. He is currently a member of the Argentinean CONICET scientific institution but also aims to ground his research in Australia.