Numerous dinosaurs were feathered but clear and direct proofs relating to the well-preserved feathers with dinosaur cadavers have been in limited supply. One proof is a tiny piece of amber fossilized tree resin from the mid-Cretaceous Period around 99 million years ago.
CNET reports that it is roughly the shape and size of a dried apricot, which was set to be put up for sale in Myanmar market for jewellery before it was found by paleontologist of the China University of Geosciences Lida Xing. The team has published its research in the Current Biology journal.
The amber contains an ant, a tiny section of feathered tail and plant debris now identified to have belonged to a young coelurosaur, which is a kind of theropod dinosaur approximately the size of a sparrow. According to IGN, the researchers were convinced that the specimen did not belong to a bird since the tail vertebrae are articulated while birds and their family possess fused tail vertebrae.
CT scans revealed eight vertebrae, which belongs to a thin tail that was probably made up of over 25 vertebrae. The 1.4 inches section of tail also contains remains of soft tissue and muscle, which has small feathers. On top is chestnut brown and its underside is pale making it the most detailed sample of dinosaur feathers found to date.
Additionally, the sample can also offer clues on the evolution of feathers, which are intermediary type of feather without central shaft that is well-developed. This indicates that the bars and barbules developed before the shaft. The structure is more similar to ornamental feathers rather than flight feathers, which is a sign that the dinosaur wasn't probably winging its way in the air.
Moreover, the sample also includes ferrous iron, the remains of blood haemoglobin from the soft tissue of the dinosaur. This might lead future study, bringing together chemical information on this dinosaur.
