why do paleontologists study embryos?

Paleontologists study embryos because embryos provide critical insights into the development, evolution, and biology of extinct animals. Embryos preserved in fossils help paleontologists understand the stages of growth and development (ontogeny) of ancient species, which can then be compared to modern animals to infer evolutionary relationships. Embryos also reveal information about reproductive biology, nesting behavior, and parental care of extinct species, especially dinosaurs. For example, studying dinosaur embryos inside eggs can indicate the stage of development, incubation period, and calcium absorption for skeletal growth. Embryos can even shed light on evolutionary links between species, like the connection between reptiles and birds. Studying embryos complements fossil evidence by adding anatomical and developmental details that help reconstruct the life history and evolutionary lineage of extinct organisms, often illuminating the origin and development of major animal groups from the distant past.