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Melanosome evolution indicates a key physiological shift within feathered dinosaurs

Author

Listed:
  • Quanguo Li

    (State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences)

  • Julia A. Clarke

    (University of Texas at Austin, 1 University Station C1100)

  • Ke-Qin Gao

    (School of Earth and Space Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China)

  • Chang-Fu Zhou

    (Institute of Paleontology, Shenyang Normal University, Shenyang 110034, China)

  • Qingjin Meng

    (Beijing Museum of Natural History, 126 Tianqiao South Street, Beijing 100050, China)

  • Daliang Li

    (Museum of China University of Geosciences (Beijing), 29 Xueyuan Road, 100083, China)

  • Liliana D’Alba

    (University of Akron)

  • Matthew D. Shawkey

    (University of Akron)

Abstract

Sampling of extant and fossil amniotes reveals that the diversity of melanosome morphologies increased sharply around the time of the origin of pinnate feathers in maniraptoran dinosaurs (the lineage leading to birds) and independently in mammals; lizard, turtle and crocodilian skin as well as archosaur filamentous body covering shows a limited diversity of melanosome forms, a pattern consistent with convergent changes in the melanocortin system of endothermic animals.

Suggested Citation

  • Quanguo Li & Julia A. Clarke & Ke-Qin Gao & Chang-Fu Zhou & Qingjin Meng & Daliang Li & Liliana D’Alba & Matthew D. Shawkey, 2014. "Melanosome evolution indicates a key physiological shift within feathered dinosaurs," Nature, Nature, vol. 507(7492), pages 350-353, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:507:y:2014:i:7492:d:10.1038_nature12973
    DOI: 10.1038/nature12973
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    Cited by:

    1. Zixiao Yang & Baoyu Jiang & Jiaxin Xu & Maria E. McNamara, 2024. "Cellular structure of dinosaur scales reveals retention of reptile-type skin during the evolutionary transition to feathers," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-12, December.

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