The nest of 15 juvenile Protoceratops andrewsi dinosaurs provides clues about the dinosaurs' early behaviour.
While large numbers of eggs have been associated with other dinosaurs, such as the meat-eating oviraptor or certain duck-billed hadrosaurs, finding multiple juveniles in the same dino nest is quite rare.
The scientists have analysed the dinosaur remains along with the nest, which measured about 70 centimetres in diameter and was round and bowl-shaped. All were found at Djadochta Formation, Tugrikinshire, Mongolia, where it's believed sand "rapidly overwhelmed and entombed" the youngsters while they were still alive.
The researchers conclude that the 15 dinosaurs all show juvenile characteristics. These include short snouts, proportionately large eyes, and an absence of adult characteristics, such as the prominent horns and large frills associated with adults of this species. At least 10 of the 15 fossil sets are complete.
The nest and its contents imply that protoceratops juveniles remained and grew in their nest during at least the early stages of postnatal development. The nest further implies that parental care was provided.
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