Preprismatoolithus
Trace fossil
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Preprismatoolithus is a Late Jurassic oogenus. The species P. coloradensis is described by John Foster as being "of the prismatic basic type,"[1] with subspherical eggs about 10 cm (4 inches) in diameter.[2] This oospecies was first attributed to "hypsilophodontid" dinosaurs, although an initial lack of associated embryo material made confirming the egg-layer's identity impossible.[1] After a finding in Portugal[3] associated prismatic basic types with embryos, it now is known to be theropod.
Zelenitsky & Hills, 1996
| Preprismatoolithus Temporal range: | |
|---|---|
Egg fossil classification  | |
| Basic shell type: | †Dinosauroid-prismatic |
| Oofamily: | †Prismatoolithidae |
| Oogenus: | †Preprismatoolithus Zelenitsky & Hills, 1996 |
Eggshell present in great abundance at the so-called "Young Egg Locality" which seems to have been a dinosaur nesting ground.[1] Congeneric eggshell fossils are found at additional Colorado sites including the Fruita Paleontological Area, the Uravan Locality and Garden Park.[1]
