Molecular composition and ultrastructure of Jurassic paravian feathers.

Summary, in English

Feathers are amongst the most complex epidermal structures known, and they have a well-documented evolutionary trajectory across non-avian dinosaurs and basal birds. Moreover, melanosome-like microbodies preserved in association with fossil plumage have been used to reconstruct original colour, behaviour and physiology. However, these putative ancient melanosomes might alternatively represent microorganismal residues, a conflicting interpretation compounded by a lack of unambiguous chemical data. We therefore used sensitive molecular imaging, supported by multiple independent analytical tests, to demonstrate that the filamentous epidermal appendages in a new specimen of the Jurassic paravian Anchiornis comprise remnant eumelanosomes and fibril-like microstructures, preserved as endogenous eumelanin and authigenic calcium phosphate. These results provide novel insights into the early evolution of feathers at the sub-cellular level, and unequivocally determine that melanosomes can be preserved in fossil feathers.

• Author: Johan Lindgren; Peter Sjövall; Ryan M Carney; Aude Cincotta; Per Uvdal; Steven W Hutcheson; Ola Gustafsson; Ulysse Lefèvre; François Escuillié; Jimmy Heimdal; Anders Engdahl; Johan Gren; Benjamin P Kear; Kazumasa Wakamatsu; Johan Yans; Pascal Godefroit
• Department/s: Lithosphere and Biosphere Science; Chemical Physics; Functional zoology; MAX IV Laboratory
• Publishing year: 2015
• Language: English
• Publication/Series: Scientific Reports
• Volume: 5
• Links: http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/srep13520
• Document type: Journal article
• Publisher: Nature Publishing Group
• Topic: Geology
• Status: Published
• ISBN/ISSN/Other: ISSN: 2045-2322