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Reconstruction of Microraptor and the evolution of iridescent plumage.(REPORTS)(Author abstract)(Report)

Li, Quanguo ; Gao, Ke - Qin ; Meng, Qingjin ; Clarke, Julia A. ; Shawkey, Matthew D. ; D'alba, Liliana ; Pei, Rui ; Ellison, Mick ; Norell, Mark A. ; Vinther, Jakob

Science, March 9, 2012, Vol.335(6073), p.1215(5) [Periódico revisado por pares]

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Título:
Reconstruction of Microraptor and the evolution of iridescent plumage.(REPORTS)(Author abstract)(Report)
Autor: Li, Quanguo ; Gao, Ke - Qin ; Meng, Qingjin ; Clarke, Julia A. ; Shawkey, Matthew D. ; D'alba, Liliana ; Pei, Rui ; Ellison, Mick ; Norell, Mark A. ; Vinther, Jakob
Assuntos: Feathers -- Physiological Aspects ; Feathers -- Natural History ; Dromaeosaurids -- Natural History ; Dromaeosaurids -- Physiological Aspects
É parte de: Science, March 9, 2012, Vol.335(6073), p.1215(5)
Descrição: Iridescent feather colors involved in displays of many extant birds are produced by nanoscale arrays of melanin-containing organelles (melanosomes). Data relevant to the evolution of these colors and the properties of melanosomes involved in their generation have been limited. A data set sampling variables of extant avian melanosomes reveals that those forming most iridescent arrays are distinctly narrow. Quantitative comparison of these data with melanosome imprints densely sampled from a previously unknown specimen of the Early Cretaceous feathered Microroptor predicts that its plumage was predominantly iridescent. The capacity for simple iridescent arrays is thus minimally inferred in paravian dinosaurs. This finding and estimation of Microraptor feathering consistent with an ornamental function for the tail suggest a centrality for signaling in early evolution of plumage and feather color. doi 10.1126/science.1213780
Idioma: English

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