Dinosaur Coloration Identified for the First Time from Feather Fossils
Published:
As a result of observing the fossilized feathers of the dinosaur "Sinosauropteryx" found in Liaoning Province, China, with a scanning electron microscope, cells responsible for transporting pigment were found.
The presence of melanin pigment, which produces red, brown, and yellow colors, in the feathers of Sinosauropteryx's tail and back revealed that the feathers were reddish-brown to orange.
This achievement is surprising, as it was previously thought that "it is impossible to determine the body color of dinosaurs from their fossils."