Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Allometric scaling and social modulation of resting metabolic rate in a eusocial mammal (Heterocephalus glaber).

Biology open·2026
Same author

PEERS: Promoting Early Exposure to the Responsibilities of Seniors.

Hospital pediatrics·2026
Same author

Bio-informed blade patterns for mitigating bird collisions with wind turbines.

Journal of the Royal Society, Interface·2026
Same author

Metabolic acclimation to captivity in highveld mole-rats (Cryptomys hottentotus pretoriae) is driven by sex-specific body mass increases.

The Journal of experimental biology·2026
Same author

Evaluation of a Pilot Digital Antibiotic Tool.

The clinical teacher·2026
Same author

No detectable evidence for metabolic costs of long-term memory formation in honeybees, despite increased energy intake.

The Journal of experimental biology·2026
Same journal

RNA-ligand complexes and the attenuation of neutral confinement in the evolution of RNA secondary structures.

Journal of the Royal Society, Interface·2026
Same journal

Individual detachment-reintegration events in homing pigeon flocks and the dominance of directional adjustment in their kinematic features.

Journal of the Royal Society, Interface·2026
Same journal

Thermal stress disrupts symbiotic fluid dynamics in bobtail squid.

Journal of the Royal Society, Interface·2026
Same journal

Distinct geometrical landscapes distinguish between modes of tristability in gene regulatory networks.

Journal of the Royal Society, Interface·2026
Same journal

Slow modulation of the contraction patterns in Physarum polycephalum.

Journal of the Royal Society, Interface·2026
Same journal

Moo-ving mountains: grazing agents drive terracette formation on steep hillslopes.

Journal of the Royal Society, Interface·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 10, 2026

Processing Embryo, Eggshell, and Fungal Culture for Scanning Electron Microscopy
09:15

Processing Embryo, Eggshell, and Fungal Culture for Scanning Electron Microscopy

Published on: August 16, 2019

9.9K

Scratching beyond the surface: examining macroecological patterns in avian eggshell texture.

Marie R G Attard1,2,3, James Bowen2, Steven J Portugal4,5

  • 1Department of Biological Sciences, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX, UK.

Journal of the Royal Society, Interface
|November 25, 2025
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Bird eggshell surface texture varies by species, influencing embryo protection. Smoother surfaces are found on immaculate and semi-enclosed nesting eggs, offering insights for biomimicry designs.

Keywords:
aviankurtosisroughnessskewnesssurface structure

More Related Videos

Probing the Limits of Egg Recognition Using Egg Rejection Experiments Along Phenotypic Gradients
07:34

Probing the Limits of Egg Recognition Using Egg Rejection Experiments Along Phenotypic Gradients

Published on: August 22, 2018

8.6K
Ecotoxicological Effects of Microplastics on Bird Embryo Development by Hatching without Eggshell
08:11

Ecotoxicological Effects of Microplastics on Bird Embryo Development by Hatching without Eggshell

Published on: August 14, 2021

5.0K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jan 10, 2026

Processing Embryo, Eggshell, and Fungal Culture for Scanning Electron Microscopy
09:15

Processing Embryo, Eggshell, and Fungal Culture for Scanning Electron Microscopy

Published on: August 16, 2019

9.9K
Probing the Limits of Egg Recognition Using Egg Rejection Experiments Along Phenotypic Gradients
07:34

Probing the Limits of Egg Recognition Using Egg Rejection Experiments Along Phenotypic Gradients

Published on: August 22, 2018

8.6K
Ecotoxicological Effects of Microplastics on Bird Embryo Development by Hatching without Eggshell
08:11

Ecotoxicological Effects of Microplastics on Bird Embryo Development by Hatching without Eggshell

Published on: August 14, 2021

5.0K

Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Materials Science
  • Biomimetics

Background:

  • Bird eggshell surface texture is crucial for protecting the developing embryo from physical and microbial threats.
  • Significant variation exists in eggshell surface textures across avian species, suggesting evolutionary adaptation.
  • Understanding these textural differences can provide insights into avian evolution and functional morphology.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify the primary evolutionary drivers behind the diversity of bird eggshell surface textures.
  • To correlate specific life-history traits and nesting environments with eggshell surface properties.
  • To analyze the relationship between eggshell surface texture and egg coloration patterns.

Main Methods:

  • Employed high-resolution optical profilometry to quantify eggshell surface texture.
  • Measured key surface parameters: roughness (Sa), skewness (Ssk), and kurtosis (Sku).
  • Analyzed data within a phylogenetically informed framework across 453 bird species from 98 families.

Main Results:

  • Eggshells were significantly smoother in species laying immaculate (unpatterned) eggs compared to maculate (patterned) eggs.
  • Species nesting in semi-enclosed environments exhibited smoother eggshell surfaces than those nesting in exposed sites.
  • A predominant feature across species (90.1%) was a surface texture characterized by valleys rather than peaks (Ssk < 0).

Conclusions:

  • Nesting environment and egg pattern are significant factors shaping eggshell surface texture.
  • The prevalence of valley-dominated surfaces suggests functional advantages for protection or other purposes.
  • These findings can inform biomimetic designs inspired by the functional properties of natural porous surfaces.