Scientists have discovered a new fossil of the dinosaur species Psittacosaurus, which features a unique combination of feather-like structures similar to birds and hard scales akin to reptiles.
The Psittacosaurus fossil, also known as the “parrot lizard,” was first discovered in 1922. However, a recent finding has unveiled new information regarding its distinctive skin. This dinosaur lived during the early Cretaceous period, approximately 135 to 120 million years ago, around the time when dinosaurs began evolving into birds.
Fossilized skin of the dinosaur under UV light. (Photo: Dr. Zixiao Yang).
Previously, scientists believed that this species only had feathers on its tail. However, new research indicates that the skin covering the entire body of the Psittacosaurus exhibited distinct features depending on whether the skin was feathered or not. The soft, feathered areas of their skin resembled that of modern birds, while the featherless patches bore scales. This suggests that retaining scales during the early stages of feather evolution may have helped dinosaurs optimize the functionality of their skin.
As the fossilized skin could not be observed with the naked eye, the research team employed UV light to identify the skin patterns on the Psittacosaurus fossil, followed by X-ray and infrared imaging for a clearer view. Ultimately, they discovered preserved details about the cellular structure of the skin.
“This fossil is truly a rare find,” stated Dr. Zixiao Yang from University College Cork, Ireland, noting that the use of UV light provided a clearer perspective under the striking orange-yellow illumination.
“The astonishing detail is in the composition of the fossilized skin, which includes glass-like silica compounds. This method of preservation has never been found in vertebrate fossils, opening up the possibility that many other fossils with soft tissues remain to be uncovered,” he added.
The fossil offers scientists new insights into the evolutionary transition from scales to feathers in dinosaurs, demonstrating that their skin exhibited “selective evolutionary traits.”
