Ancient dinosaur fossils reveal signs of intricate color patterns for camouflage purposes.
In the heart of a hostile prehistoric world, a miniature herbivorous dinosaur from the early Cretaceous period took a wise step – it donned camouflage. Recent studies of intensely preserved fossil remains reveal one of the most elaborate dinosaur paint jobs ever, featuring a mottled brown back and a lighter belly. Similar to modern-day antelope and various other creatures, these alternating dark-and-light zones baffle predators. Now, researchers have finally discovered this kind of marking on a dinosaur, and it's none other than a Psittacosaurus.
Discovered in China, this specific Psittacosaurus roamed the earth around 120 million years ago, which was no walk in the park. Lurking nearby were formidable predators, such as the colossal Yutyrannus, a massive tyrant lizard, and the smaller Dilong, a relative of the feared T-Rex.
The intriguing existence of this dinosaur doesn't end with its camouflage. Besides being remembered as the animal that seemed to be doing its business, the specimen also stands out due to its elaborate color patterns, including stripes, spots, and even slashes on its legs. Paleontologist Jakob Vinther of Britain's University of Bristol and his team, who co-authored the study published in the journal Current Biology, find this discovery remarkable.
"This one is unique," says Vinther. "We can very clearly see that there are color patterns on the scales ... stripes, spots."
The camouflage on the Psittacosaurus could have aided the dinosaur in blending into its environment and avoiding the unwelcome attention of predators. Modern-day predators determine an object’s shape using its shading, clarifying that when prey is darker at the top than the bottom, a specific pattern called countershading minimizes shadows and creates a flatter appearance.
Researchers built a life-size model of the Psittacosaurus and painted it a dull gray for an accurate neutral background to evaluate shadows on the body. Photographing the model under various lighting conditions and environments at a botanical garden provided insights.
The images show that the dinosaur's coloring offered the best camouflage in diffused light, not direct sunlight. The researchers, therefore, infer that the reptile likely lived in dense forests rather than open savannas.
In addition to helping the animal blend into its environment, dark pigments probably fulfilled other functions as well. For instance, it's believed that dark stripes on the inside of its legs may have repelled pesky insects, much like the zebra's distinctive leg markings do today. Spots on the outside of the dinosaur's front legs could have strengthened the skin, thanks to the toughening qualities of pigment molecules.
Other scientists commend the study for its valuable findings. Paleontologist David Hone of Britain's Queen Mary University of London asserts that it's no surprise that dinosaurs would use camouflage, but the new research supports the notion that such color patterns were indeed present. Hone adds that the study offers confidence in the discovery of further colorful dinosaur specimens as time passes.
Paleontologist Gareth Dyke of Hungary's University of Debrecen shares similar sentiments, praising the variety of colors observed on this single fossil. Dyke also notes that, to his knowledge, such a spectrum of colors hasn't been detected in many, if any, other dinosaur fossils.
If you thought feathered dinosaurs were the only prehistoric beauties, think again. This Psittacosaurus may have had scales instead of feathers, which makes it the reigning champion in its division of the dinosaur beauty pageant.
Vinther thinks this astonishing discovery of colors on the naked dinosaur marks a major breakthrough in the field, saying, "This is definitely the best specimen, the Holy Grail for naked dinosaurs."
- This specific Psittacosaurus, discovered in China, is not just renowned for its camouflage but also for its elaborate color patterns, such as stripes, spots, and slashes, which scientific studies find remarkable.
- The environmental science community is intrigued by the finding that the Psittacosaurus' camouflage, consisting of a mottled brown back and a lighter belly, could have been similar to countershading used by modern-day creatures to blend into their surroundings.
- In the realm of health-and-wellness and fitness-and-exercise, the study of this Psittacosaurus offers insights into the potential functions of dark pigments in adding resilience, such as possibly repelling insects, as seen in the zebra's distinctive leg markings.
- The realm of space-and-astronomy might seem distant from the study of dinosaur fossils, but the discovery of colored dinosaur specimens, like the Psittacosaurus, could potentially shed light on the development and use of color in various species throughout history, including on Earth and beyond.
