New Data Archaeopteryx Reveals Insight into the Evolution of Feathers

[n2doc]

The first complete chemical analysis of feathers from the Archaeopteryx, a fossil linking dinosaurs and birds, reveals its plumage consisted of a light color with a dark edge and tip rather than all black, as previously believed.

The findings, published in the Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry, represent a “big leap forward in our understanding of the evolution of plumage and also the preservation of feathers,” paleontologist and lead author Phil Manning said in a press release.

The discovery was made through a series of X-ray experiments performed by a team from The University of Manchester as well as scientists from the U.S. Department of Energy’s SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory.

Through their testing, the researchers were able to find chemical traces of the original “dinobird” and dilute traces of plumage pigments in the 150 million-year-old fossil. (Archaeoptheryx may be the "original," but a recently described, even older speices of ancient bird dethroned Archaeoptheryx from its seat as the oldest bird.)

Currently, there are only 11 known specimens of Archaeopteryx, one of which consists of a single feather. Furthermore, up until just a few years ago, researchers thought minerals had long replaced all the bones and tissues of the original animal during fossilization, leaving no chemical traces behind; however, two new methods have since exposed more information about the dinobird and its plumage.

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http://www.natureworldnews.com/articles/2408/20130612/new-image-famous-dinobird-reveals-insight-evolution-feathers-video.htm

[Victor_c3]

1. K & R on behalf of my 4 year old daughter who will find this amazing.

We've been on a serious dinosaur kick in my house and Archaeopteryx is one of the species of prehistoric animals my daughter is familiar with. I tell her that scientist don't know what color dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals were, but now I guess I am wrong.

Truly fascinating!