Nesting traits and ontogenetic changes in Dinosauria

我们对恐龙的古生物学和它们生活的栖息地的知识是建立在对化石和它们出现的地质背景的理解基础上的。尽管出现了保存完好的化石，但化石记录在保存方面是有偏见的，因此恐龙生物学的许多方面无法直接观察到或没有保存下来。近年来，恐龙蛋、胚胎和幼体的发现数量增加，使古生物学家开始研究恐龙生物学鲜为人知的方面，包括筑巢、繁殖和早期生长，但这些领域内的许多研究途径仍有待探索。我的研究计划的长期目标是通过研究恐龙化石及其古环境环境，并通过与现存恐龙最近的近亲--鸟类和鳄鱼--进行比较，来增进我们对恐龙繁殖和发育的了解。目前的计划将通过调查与以下相关的研究主题来满足这一长期目标：1)筑巢地点的古环境重建，以了解恐龙之间的筑巢栖息地、行为和适应；2)动物生长过程中发生的形态变化，以了解恐龙的生长模式和特征和行为的发展时间。最终，了解恐龙之间这些不同特征和行为的进化史将有助于深入了解鸟类的起源，并极大地促进我们对恐龙古生物学和古生态学的了解。这项研究的野外工作部分将主要在艾伯塔省的荒地进行，该省以发现世界级恐龙而闻名。该研究计划还将通过实地考察和博物馆/实验室工作发现新的化石标本、物种和地点，从而为子孙后代保护和保存化石。除了为我们的科学知识以及对许多学生的培训和教学做出贡献外，这项研究的结果还将通过外展活动、博物馆展品、演示文稿、流行书籍、杂志和新闻媒体向公众传达。

Our knowledge of the paleobiology of dinosaurs and the habitats in which they lived is based on an understanding of fossils and of the geological context in which they occur. Despite the occurrence of exquisitely preserved fossils, the fossil record is biased in terms of preservation and thus many aspects of dinosaur biology are not directly observable or are not preserved. In recent years, an increase in the number of discoveries of eggs, embryos and juveniles of dinosaurs have allowed paleontologists to begin to investigate poorly known aspects of dinosaur biology, including nesting, reproduction, and early growth, but many research avenues within these areas remain to be explored. The long-term objective of my research program is to advance our knowledge of the reproduction and development of dinosaurs through the study of dinosaur fossils and their paleoenvironmental settings and through comparisons with the closest living relatives of dinosaurs: birds and crocodiles. The current program will feed into this long-term objective by investigating research themes related to: 1) paleoenvironmental reconstruction of nesting sites in order to understand nesting habitats, behaviors, and adaptations among dinosaurs; and 2) morphological changes that occurred as animals grew in order to understand growth patterns and the timing of development of features and behaviors among dinosaurs. Ultimately, understanding the evolutionary history of these various traits and behaviors among dinosaurs will provide insight into the origin of birds, and significantly advance our knowledge of dinosaur paleobiology and paleoecology. The field work portion of this research will primarily take place in the badlands of Alberta, a province that is known for its world-class dinosaur discoveries. The research program will also result in the discovery of new fossil specimens, species, and localities through field studies and museum/lab work, leading to the protection and preservation of fossils for future generations. In addition to contributing to our scientific knowledge and training and teaching of many students, results of this research will be relayed to the general public through outreach events, museum exhibits, presentations, popular books, magazines, and news media.