A recent study led by palaeontologists at University College Cork in Ireland has revealed new insights into the evolutionary transition from scales to feathers in dinosaurs. The researchers studied a specimen of the feathered dinosaur Psittacosaurus from the early Cretaceous period, around 135-120 million years ago, and found that it had reptile-like skin in areas where it did not have feathers. This discovery sheds light on how feathers may have evolved from scales in dinosaurs.
Using ultraviolet light, the researchers were able to identify patches of preserved skin on the Psittacosaurus fossil that were invisible to the naked eye. Further investigation using X-rays and infrared light revealed remarkable details of the preserved cellular structure of the skin. The skin was found to be composed of silica, similar to glass, a type of preservation that has not been previously seen in vertebrate fossils.
The discovery of reptile-like skin on the Psittacosaurus specimen suggests a zoned development of skin in dinosaurs, with feathered regions evolving bird-like skin while other areas remained scaly, similar to modern reptiles. This zoned development would have allowed the dinosaur to maintain essential skin functions such as protection against abrasion, dehydration, and parasites. The findings provide important insights into how feathers may have initially developed in dinosaurs.
The researchers believe that many more fossils with hidden soft tissues may be awaiting discovery, potentially providing further insights into the evolution of feathers in dinosaurs. The Psittacosaurus specimen NJUES-10 is currently housed at Nanjing University, where the study was conducted in collaboration with scientists based there. The study, published in Nature Communications, highlights the importance of studying fossilized skin along with feathers to better understand the evolutionary history of these structures in dinosaurs.
While numerous fossils of feathers have been studied, fossil skin is much rarer, making this discovery particularly significant in understanding the evolution of feathers in dinosaurs. The study was led by Dr. Zixiao Yang and Prof. Maria McNamara from UCC’s School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, and the findings offer new perspectives on how feathers may have evolved in dinosaurs. The research team’s use of advanced imaging techniques to reveal the preserved skin structure further enhances our understanding of the complex process of feather evolution in dinosaurs.
Overall, the study of the Psittacosaurus fossil with preserved skin provides valuable insights into the evolutionary transition from scales to feathers in dinosaurs. The discovery of reptile-like skin in areas without feathers suggests a zoned development of skin in dinosaurs, with bird-like skin evolving in feathered regions while other areas remained scaly. This research opens up new avenues for further exploration of fossils with hidden soft tissues, offering exciting opportunities to uncover more about the evolutionary history of feathers in dinosaurs.