Dinosaur eggs sometimes bring surprises. In eastern China, two fossilized eggs were discovered in a layer of red sandstone and subsequently cut open for study. What the researchers saw were not small bones inside, but hollow spaces lined with transparent crystals. The discovery comes from the Chishan Formation of the Upper Cretaceous in the Qianshan Basin, Anhui Province. The eggs are almost round, about 10 to 13 centimeters long, and the eggshell is 2.6 millimeters thick. Their appearance looks ordinary. Under a microscope, the shells show clear growth lines and a tightly packed structure. Scientists named them a new egg species: Shixinoolithus qianshanensis. No embryonic remains have been preserved. What survives are the shells and the minerals that slowly formed inside after burial.
Crystal-filled dinosaur eggs discovered in China contain no fossilized embryos
According to published in journal of paleogeographythe crystals in the egg are calcite crystals. While the eggs are alive, they have not yet formed. Once the eggs are buried in the soil, water seeps into the ground and brings dissolved minerals with it. The inside of the egg had rotted and turned into a hollow. Over time, minerals gradually deposited in the cavities, forming clusters of crystals. This method is commonly used for fossils. Organic material breaks down and minerals either replace it or fill in the gaps. Here the shell is intact, but the embryo is completely gone.
New species of dinosaur eggs discovered in Anhui Province
Even without bones, eggshells provide enough detail for identification. When the thin slices were examined under a microscope, the scientists observed uniform shell units and a dense internal structure. These characteristics differ slightly from known types.Because of these differences, these eggs were classified as a new egg species in the family Stalicoolithidae. This is the first time this group has been confirmed in the Qianshan Basin. Many dinosaur eggs have been produced in other parts of China, but so far there is no direct evidence from this basin.
fossil Eggs help confirm age of rocks
The eggs were found in layers formed by ancient rivers and lakes. The deposits belong to the late Cretaceous period, shortly before the mass extinction that ended the age of the dinosaurs.The discovery of dinosaur eggs in these rocks supports their dating. Fossils like this can help geologists confirm the age of rock formations and understand how the area changed over time.Only two eggs are preserved, one of which is incomplete. Still, they add useful detail to the record of dinosaur life in eastern China, a silent piece of evidence from the distant past.
Will Abhishek Sharma recover in time? Conflicting updates heighten India-Pak suspense ahead of T20 World Cup bombshell | Cricket News
New Delhi: Tension as India prepares for the T20 World Cup against Pakistan has been revolving around a burning question – will Abhishek Sharma recover in time? Conflicting updates from teammates and captains only add to the intrigue ahead of Sunday’s big game.Push boundaries with our YouTube channel. Subscribe now!Varun Chakravarthy has struck an optimistic note after India’s win over Namibia, revealing that the explosive opener could make a comeback. “From what I’ve talked to him, he looks good and he did some training today. He told me he’s on his way,” Varun said, hinting at a possible return.
T20 World Cup | Tilak Varma provides update on Abhishek’s fitness and mindset during recovery
Captain Suryakumar Yadav, however, painted a more cautious picture. Abhishek was hospitalized earlier this week due to a stomach infection and is still recovering after being discharged from the hospital. “Abhishek is not good yet and may need one or two games,” Surya admitted, advising the team to prioritize his full recovery.The attacking left-hander missed the Namibia match when Sanju Samson was paired with Ishan Kishan at No. 1. Even though the team was training at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Abhishek did not participate in the complete training session and there were reports of weakness and slight weight loss after the illness.
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The team management is expected to make a final decision after monitoring his workload during training in Colombo. Abhishek has traditionally spent a long time batting and the endurance test could determine whether he is ready to handle the pressure of the India-Pakistan showdown.At the moment, India seems to be caught between hope and caution: Varun’s optimistic “he’s on his way” and Suryakumar’s realistic “it may take a game or two” assessment.