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Paper outlines the first step in improving the reliability of predicting fossil feather colour
This paper outlines the first step in improving the reliability of predicting fossil feather colour by investigating the statistical differences between melanin-based colour categories defined by human colour categorisation.
Melanin pigments produce black, brown, grey, orange, and yellow hues in modern and fossil feathers. We measured the spectrum of light wavelengths reflected by these pigments in a wide range of modern bird feathers. We found that differences in the shape of these reflectance spectra and their quantitative attributes, for example brightness, saturation and RGB values, were statistically different between colour categories. The results of this study will help to improve models for predicting melanin-based fossil feather colour by giving a statistical basis for applying colour assignments, rather than relying on unsupported human classification of colours.
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