In Fossils
Recent (2008) discoveries by Xu Xing, a Chinese paleontologist, have found fossilized feathers in rock formations dating from the Jurassic period (200 to 150 million years ago) to the late Tertiary period (65 to 2 million years ago). The feathers contain preserved residues of carbon that were previously thought to be traces of bacteria that decomposed feather tissues but are in fact microscopic organic imprints of fossilized melanosomes. Some of these structures still maintain an iridescent color typical of feather and fur tissues. It is conjectured that these microscopic structures could be further studied to reveal the original colors and textures of softer tissues in fossils. "The discovery of ultra-structural detail in feather fossils opens up remarkable possibilities for the investigation of other features in soft-bodied fossils, like fur and even internal organs," said Derek Briggs of the Yale University study team.
Melanosomes were used to discover the true colors of fossil Anchiornis huxleyi by the Beijing Museum of Natural History.
Read more about this topic: Melanosome
Famous quotes containing the word fossils:
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