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A small hole in its base led the researchers to speculate it may be egg case or a dead sponge attachment.

Using egg case morphology and other methods, like studying teeth, scales, genetics and livers, the scientists were able to write and submit a first draft of the study — but it wasn’t accepted because it lacked genetic material, Ms. O’Neill said.

The researchers needed more evidence, but hadn’t been able to get genetic material from the original egg case specimen because it had already been preserved and the egg cases themselves also have too much collagen to be properly tested.

Everyone who approaches the egg case a Hy-Vee grocery store in Omaha, “has a sour face,” said shopper Nancy Stom.

So if you want to understand how prices work, start at the grocery store — possibly at the egg case.