Isotopic ordering in eggshells reflects body temperatures and suggests differing thermophysiology in two Cretaceous dinosaurs

Robert A. Eagle (), Marcus Enriquez, Gerald Grellet-Tinner, Alberto Pérez-Huerta, David Hu, Thomas Tütken, Shaena Montanari, Sean J. Loyd, Pedro Ramirez, Aradhna K. Tripati, Matthew J. Kohn, Thure E. Cerling, Luis M. Chiappe and John M. Eiler
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Robert A. Eagle: Planetary, and Space Sciences, University of California
Marcus Enriquez: Planetary, and Space Sciences, University of California
Gerald Grellet-Tinner: Orcas Island Historical Museums
Alberto Pérez-Huerta: University of Alabama
David Hu: California Institute of Technology
Thomas Tütken: Institute of Geosciences, University of Mainz
Shaena Montanari: Evolution, and Environmental Biology, Columbia University
Sean J. Loyd: Planetary, and Space Sciences, University of California
Pedro Ramirez: California State University
Aradhna K. Tripati: Planetary, and Space Sciences, University of California
Matthew J. Kohn: Boise State University
Thure E. Cerling: University of Utah
Luis M. Chiappe: Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
John M. Eiler: California Institute of Technology

Nature Communications, 2015, vol. 6, issue 1, 1-11

Abstract: Abstract Our understanding of the evolutionary transitions leading to the modern endothermic state of birds and mammals is incomplete, partly because tools available to study the thermophysiology of extinct vertebrates are limited. Here we show that clumped isotope analysis of eggshells can be used to determine body temperatures of females during periods of ovulation. Late Cretaceous titanosaurid eggshells yield temperatures similar to large modern endotherms. In contrast, oviraptorid eggshells yield temperatures lower than most modern endotherms but ∼6 °C higher than co-occurring abiogenic carbonates, implying that this taxon did not have thermoregulation comparable to modern birds, but was able to elevate its body temperature above environmental temperatures. Therefore, we observe no strong evidence for end-member ectothermy or endothermy in the species examined. Body temperatures for these two species indicate that variable thermoregulation likely existed among the non-avian dinosaurs and that not all dinosaurs had body temperatures in the range of that seen in modern birds.

Date: 2015
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms9296

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