Scientists uncover key phase in dinosaur-to-bird feather evolution
Scientists from University College Cork (UCC) in Ireland and Nanjing University in China have discovered that Psittacosaurus, a feathered dinosaur with a parrot-like beak, had both reptile-like scales and feathered regions on its body. The fossil, from the early Cretaceous period, was analyzed using silica, a compound typically used to make glass, which has never been found in vertebrate fossils before. This breakthrough provides new insights into the evolutionary transition from reptilian scales to bird feathers.
The study revealed that Psittacosaurus had scaly skin similar to modern reptiles in non-feathered areas, while feathered regions displayed soft, bird-like skin. This dual skin type suggests that early feathered dinosaurs retained scaly skin in certain areas for protection, while feathers evolved in specific regions. The findings help unravel the complex evolution of feathers, indicating that bird-like skin initially developed only in feathered regions, while the rest of the skin remained scaly. The discovery of silica in the fossil skin further highlights the unique preservation and offers a new perspective on vertebrate fossilization.
