Dinosaur Soft Tissues as Bacterial Biofilms
Author Information
Author(s): Kaye Thomas G., Gaugler Gary, Sawlowicz Zbigniew
Primary Institution: Burke Museum of Natural History
Hypothesis
Can dinosaurian soft tissues be identified as bacterial biofilms rather than preserved biological tissues?
Conclusion
The study suggests that structures previously thought to be preserved dinosaur tissues are actually bacterial biofilms.
Supporting Evidence
- Bacterial biofilms were found extensively in the porous trabecular bone of various dinosaur and mammal species.
- Carbon dating indicated that the biofilms had a relatively modern origin.
- Infrared spectra showed that modern biofilms are more similar to fossil coatings than modern collagen.
Takeaway
Scientists looked at old dinosaur bones and found that what seemed like soft tissues were actually just bacteria that formed a film.
Methodology
The study used scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy to analyze fossil bones and modern biofilms.
Potential Biases
Potential bias in interpreting structures as biofilms rather than preserved tissues.
Limitations
The study primarily focused on a limited number of fossil specimens and may not represent all dinosaur fossils.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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