Since its appearance in 1861, the first fossil feather ever found has become the subject of an interesting debate.
He is about to end up run over, his mother saves himSince its appearance in a German limestone quarry in 1861, the first fossil feather never found it became the subject of an interesting debate: if on the one hand it was very similar to the feathers of modern birds, on the other it was buried in an ancient rock that seemed not to betray its very remote origin. And now research provides proof of three controversial issues: belongs to a dinosaur, is a type of wing feather and its original color was dull black.
In a study published in Scientific Reports, Dr. Ryan Carney and his team compared the 150 million years - with the fossil remains of other feathers found more recently, stating that the mystery has been solved: the feather belongs to an Archeopteryx dinosaur.
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The researchers analyzed 9 attributes of the fossil feather along with data from modern birds. They also examined the 13 known skeletal fossils of Archeopteryx, three of which contain these primary covers, and found that the top surface of an Archeopteryx wing has primary feathers identical to the isolated feather in size and shape. Additionally, the plume was found at the same fossil site as four Archeopteryx skeletons.
© National Geographic
“Over the past 159 years there has been debate as to whether or not this feather belongs to the same species as the remains of Archeopteryx, as well as where it came from and its original color,” says Carney. Through scientific investigative work that combines new techniques with ancient fossils, we have finally been able to solve these age-old mysteries ”.
Using a high-powered electron microscope, the team discovered other additional information: through the presence of thousands of molecules called melanosomes, responsible for the coloring of the feather, they realized that the feather was dull black. In addition, they determined that the feather came from the left wing.
Is this the end of a debate? Not really.
© National Geographic
“Given the isolated nature of the fossil plume, we will never be able to know its anatomical and taxonomic provenance with 100% certainty. However, on the basis of all available anatomical and taxonomic evidence, independently confirmed by close morphological connections with multiple specimens, the most empirical and parsimonious conclusion is that the feather represents a main layer of Archeopteryx ", conclude the experts.
This is clearly not the end of a decades-long debate, but while most of the new studies on this feather claim to have solved the dilemma, as time goes on we continue to uncover new details about Archeopteryx fossils, including the various forms. colors and functions of their feathers. Who knows what else we need to find out!
Fonti: Scientific Reports / National Geographic
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