Medioolithus

Medioolithus
Temporal range: lower Eocene
Eggshell classification
Basic shell type: Ornithoid
Morphotype: Ornithoid-ratite
Oofamily: †Medioolithidae
Oogenus: †Medioolithus
Oospecies
  • M. geiseltalensis

Medioolithus is an oogenus of fossil egg laid by a paleognath.[1]

Description

Medioolithus is known several eggshell fragments, and one complete, spherical egg. M. geiseltalensis is very similar to modern ratite eggs, for example those of ostriches, rheas, and cassowaries. At 9 cm (3.5 in) in diameter, however, it is smaller than the eggs of any of these birds, being more similar in size to the egg of a kiwi.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 Kohring, R., & Hirsch, K. F. (1996). "Crocodilian and avian eggshells from the Middle Eocene of the Geiseltal, Eastern Germany." Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology, 16(1), 67-80.
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