Chinese Archeologists Find Clues About Appearance Of Early Birds, Dinosaurs
Muhammad Rameez Published November 22, 2016 | 03:15 PM
NANJING, Nov. 22 (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 22nd Nov, 2016 ) : Chinese archeologists have discovered molecular evidence of the protein keratin in a bird fossil from the Cretaceous Period 130 million years ago, which may provide clues about the color of feathered dinosaurs and early birds.
The research paper by experts with the Nanjing Institute of Geology and Paleontology under the Chinese academy of Sciences was published by America's Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) on Tuesday.
Pan Yanhong, a leading researcher with the program, told Xinhua that they discovered the molecular structure of a protein that determines feather color in the bird fossil.
The study shows that these molecular structures are preserved in fossils and are consistent with modern feathers.
Researchers hope the study will lead to hypotheses about dinosaur color, behavior, habitat, and physiology. It was also the oldest molecular evidence found in bird fossils. Previously, the molecular structure of the protein had only been found in fossils dating back some 80 million years.
The bird that experts used in the research is one of the earliest bird fossils found in China. The Cretaceous bird, named Eoconfuciusornis, was discovered in north China's Hebei Province in 2008.
Recent Stories
HEC reviews curricula for environmental sciences degree programme
ICC Asia looking forward to an action-packed Asia Cricket Week
Yuvraj Singh named ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 Ambassador
Greece hands Olympic flame to 2024 Paris Games hosts
Two Kyiv hospitals evacuating over feared Russian strikes
World must act on neurotech revolution, say experts
Charles & Catherine's cancer diagnoses
Champions Alcaraz and Sabalenka through in Madrid Open
King Charles to resume some public duties during cancer treatment: palace
US defense chief announces $6 bn in security aid for Ukraine
Heavy rains cause damage to Spezand-Taftan railway track
Woman stabbed in Israel, attacker killed: police
More Stories From World
-
NFL will allow players to wear Guardian Cap helmets in games
4 hours ago -
Football: German Bundesliga table
4 hours ago -
Football: Italian Serie A result
4 hours ago -
Football: German Bundesliga results
4 hours ago -
US troops to leave Chad in second African state withdrawal
4 hours ago -
Plastics pollution may be solved without production cap: Canada minister
5 hours ago
-
Biden stalls on menthol cigarette ban fearing Black vote backlash
5 hours ago -
Champions Alcaraz and Sabalenka through in Madrid Open
5 hours ago -
6,000 French police to welcome Olympic torch amid bonus boost
5 hours ago -
Taiwan hit by several quakes, strongest reaching 6.1-magnitude
5 hours ago -
'Ballistic' Bairstow stars as Punjab pull off record T20 chase
5 hours ago -
Tennis: ATP/WTA Madrid Open results - 2nd update
5 hours ago