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Science 4 December 1981:
Vol. 214. no. 4525, pp. 1135 - 1137
DOI: 10.1126/science.214.4525.1135
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Articles

Extrinsic Microbial Degradation of the Alligator Eggshell

MARK W. J. FERGUSON 1

1 Department of Anatomy, Queen's University of Belfast, Belfast BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland

The outer, densely calcified layer of the alligator eggshell shows progressive crystal dissolution, with the production of concentrically stepped erosion craters, as incubation progresses. This dissolution is caused by the acidic metabolic by-products of nest bacteria. Extrinsic degradation serves to gradually increase the porosity and decrease the strength of the eggshell.

Submitted on October 17, 1980
Revised on January 27, 1981

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Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)