Eggshell structure, mode of development and growth rate in birds

Abstract

The shell of an egg contributes to successful embryogenesis in many ways, such as through protection, respiration and water exchange. The shell is also the major source of calcium for the development of high-calcium consuming organs, e.g. the skeleton, muscles and brain. Some studies show, moreover, that growth rate may play a fundamental role in the pattern of skeletal development in birds: the faster the growth the less ossified the skeleton is at hatching. We predicted, therefore, that slow (precocial) and fast (altricial) growing bird species should lay eggs encased in shells with different structures adapted to support different rates of calcium removal by developing embryos. We tested this prediction by comparing the fine structure of the inner eggshell surface (mammillary layer) from 36 bird species belonging to 18 orders ranging from Struthioniformes to Passeriformes. Using scanning electron microscopy, we compared the mammillary layer of both non-incubated eggs and eggs at the time of hatching, i.e., before and after embryonic development and the accompanying calcium removal. The results were consistent with the prediction, i.e., the number of mammillary tips per unit of surface area was associated with mode of development and growth rate. The number was higher, and calcium removal was also more extensive, in shells from precocial bird species than in shells from altricial bird species.