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Researchers discover hidden step in dinosaur feather evolution

21 May 2024
Dr Zixiao Yang of University College Cork, who discovered that some feathered dinosaurs had scaly skin like reptiles today, thus shedding new light on the evolutionary transition from scales to feathers. Image credit: Ruben Tapia/UCC TV
  • Scientists discover ‘zoned development’ in dinosaur skin, with zones of reptile-style scales and zones of bird-like skin with feathers.
  • New dinosaur skin fossil found to be composed of silica – the same as glass.
  • Discovery sheds light on evolution from scales to feathers.

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