Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Thomas DB
PROVIDER: S-EPMC4048910 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jun
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Thomas Daniel B DB Nascimbene Paul C PC Dove Carla J CJ Grimaldi David A DA James Helen F HF
Scientific reports 20140609
Plumage colours bestowed by carotenoid pigments can be important for visual communication and likely have a long evolutionary history within Aves. Discovering plumage carotenoids in fossil feathers could provide insight into the ecology of ancient birds and non-avian dinosaurs. With reference to a modern feather, we sought chemical evidence of carotenoids in six feathers preserved in amber (Miocene to mid-Cretaceous) and in a feather preserved as a compression fossil (Eocene). Evidence of melani ...[more]