At last we have substantial evidence that the first fossil feather discovered belongs to the iconic Archeopteryx , a bird-like dinosaur found in Germany in 1861 in the Jurassic limestone deposits of Solnhofen. A finding that debunks a recent theory that the fossil plume originated from a different species.
Research carried out by an international team of scientists led by the University of South Florida and published in the journal Scientific Reports , shows that the Jurassic fossil matches a type of wing plume called a primary shell. These feathers overlap the primaries and help propel the birds through the air.
The feather fits into an Archeopteryx wing
The researchers analyzed nine attributes of the 150-million-year-old feather, particularly the long feather, along with data from modern birds. They also examined the 13 known skeletal fossils of Archeopteryx, three of which contain these primary covers. They found that the upper surface of an Archeopteryx wing has primary coverts that are identical to the isolated feather in size and shape. Additionally, the plume was found at the same fossil site as four Archeopteryx skeletons.
“For the past 159 years there has been a debate whether or not this feather belongs to the same species as the Archeopteryx remains, as well as where it came from and its original color ,” says Ryan Carney, leader of the work. “Through scientific detective work that combined new techniques with ancient fossils and literature, we were finally able to solve these centuries-old mysteries.”
Using a specialized type of electron microscope, the researchers determined that the plume came from the left wing.
What color were the feathers?
Previous research predicted that the pen was likely black in color. Now, new analysis of the pattern of the pigment bodies captured by the fossil has reinforced this idea and that it was unlikely to have a very iridescent or bright hue. Specifically, they detected melanosomes, which are microscopic pigment structures. After refining their color reconstruction, they found that the pen was completely matte black , not black and white, as another study claimed.
Is it the end of the debate?
“We provided additional information, such as an updated color reconstruction of the entire pen as matte black, with a 90% probability,” the authors said. “Given the isolated nature of the fossil plume, we will never be able to know the anatomical and taxonomic provenance with 100% certainty. However, based on all available anatomical and taxonomic evidence, independently confirmed by close morphological connections with multiple specimens. skeletal, the most empirical and parsimonious conclusion is that the isolated plume represents a main layer of Archeopteryx “, conclude the experts.
This is clearly not the end of the debate. While most new studies on this feather claim to have solved the dilemma, as time goes on we continue to discover new details about the Archeopteryx fossils, including the various shapes, colors and functions of their feathers. Who knows what else we have to uncover.
At the moment, there are authors who, even with this great evidence, do not accept the results and affirm that it cannot be ruled out, for the moment, that the feather is of another species.
Referencia: Evidence corroborates identity of isolated fossil feather as a wing covert of Archaeopteryx, Scientific Reports (2020). doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-65336-y
