Scientists have discovered a well-preserved dinosaur embryo inside a fossilized egg in southern China, believed to date back between 66 and 72 million years. Professor Steve Brusatte from the University of Edinburgh, a member of the research team, stated, "This little dinosaur looks just like a tiny bird curled up in its egg, which provides further evidence that many of today’s bird-like features evolved from their dinosaur ancestors."
The fossil belongs to a toothless theropod dinosaur, or oviraptorosaur, and the position of the embryo closely resembles the posture of bird embryos inside their eggs, with the head tucked under the right wing to aid in hatching properly. Scientists believe that the hard dinosaur egg shell offers better protection than softer shells, suggesting that oviraptorosaurs and related dinosaur species may have developed this tucked position to break through the tougher egg shells.
