Separated fossil plume from the Green River Formation (ca. 50 million years old, USA). Credit: Dr. Tiffany Slater
New technique reveals resemblances in between dinosaurs and birds.
Paleontologists at University College Cork (UCC) in Ireland have actually found X-ray evidence of proteins in fossil plumes that sheds brand-new light on plume evolution.
Previous studies recommended that ancient plumes had a various structure to the plumes of birds today. The brand-new research study, however, reveals that the protein structure of modern-day feathers was likewise present in the plumes of dinosaurs and early birds, validating that the chemistry of feathers originated much earlier than previously thought.
A visual abstract based on paper by Slater et al., 2003. Credit: Science Graphic Design
The research, published today in Nature Ecology and Evolution, was led by paleontologists Dr. Tiffany Slater and Prof. Maria McNamara of UCCs School of Biological, Earth, and Environmental Science, who teamed with researchers based at Linyi University (China) and the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource (USA).
The group analyzed 125-million-year-old feathers from the dinosaur Sinornithosaurus and the early bird Confuciusornis from China, plus a 50-million-year-old plume from the USA.
Dr. Tiffany Slater imagined at the School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences at University College Cork. Credit: Daragh Mc Sweeney/Provision
” Its truly exciting to discover brand-new resemblances in between dinosaurs and birds,” Dr. Slater states. “To do this, we developed a new approach to detect traces of ancient feather proteins. Utilizing X-rays and infrared light we found that plumes from the dinosaur Sinornithosaurus consisted of lots of beta-proteins, just like feathers of birds today.”
To assist analyze the chemical signals maintained in the fossil feathers, the team also ran experiments to assist understand how feather proteins break down during the fossilization process.
” Modern bird feathers are rich in beta-proteins that help reinforce feathers for flight,” Dr. Slater states.
Scanning electron microscopy image of zebra finch plume. Scale bar suggests 200 µm. Credit: Dr. Tiffany Slater
” Previous tests on dinosaur feathers, though, discovered primarily alpha-proteins. Our experiments can now explain this strange chemistry as the outcome of protein deterioration during the fossilization procedure. So although some fossil plumes do preserve traces of the original beta-proteins, other fossil plumes are damaged and tell us a false story about plume evolution.”
This research assists address an enduring argument about whether plume proteins, and proteins in general, can preserve in deep time.
Dr. Tiffany Slater and Prof. Maria McNamara imagined in the experimental fossilization laboratory at the School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences at University College Cork. Credit: Daragh Mc Sweeney/Provision
Prof. Maria McNamara, senior author on the study, stated “Traces of ancient biomolecules can plainly endure for countless years, however you cant check out the fossil record literally since even apparently unspoiled fossil tissues have actually been prepared and squashed during fossilization. Were developing brand-new tools to understand what takes place during fossilization and unlock the chemical tricks of fossils. This will offer us amazing brand-new insights into the evolution of crucial tissues and their biomolecules.”
For more on this research, see New Study Reveals Shocking Similarities Between Dinosaur and Bird Feathers.
Referral: “Preservation of corneous β-proteins in Mesozoic feathers” by Tiffany S. Slater, Nicholas P. Edwards, Samuel M. Webb, Fucheng Zhang, and Maria E. McNamara, 21 September 2023, Nature Ecology & & Evolution.DOI: 10.1038/ s41559-023-02177-8.
Separated fossil feather from the Green River Formation (ca. 50 million years old, USA). “To do this, we established a new technique to identify traces of ancient plume proteins. Using X-rays and infrared light we discovered that feathers from the dinosaur Sinornithosaurus consisted of lots of beta-proteins, just like plumes of birds today.”
” Previous tests on dinosaur feathers, though, found mostly alpha-proteins. Although some fossil feathers do preserve traces of the initial beta-proteins, other fossil plumes are damaged and tell us a false story about feather advancement.”