* . *
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy & Policy
  • Contact
Tuesday, May 20, 2025
Earth-News
  • Home
  • Business
  • Entertainment
    First Celebrities Playing in the 2025 American Century Championship Announced – El Paso Inc.

    Exciting Lineup Revealed: First Celebrities Set to Compete in the 2025 American Century Championship!

    Palm Beach Council approves Breakers plans for new Family Entertainment Center – Palm Beach Daily News

    Palm Beach Council Greenlights Exciting New Family Entertainment Center at The Breakers!

    Why Was Kanye West’s South Korea Tour Cancelled? – Yahoo

    Unraveling the Mystery: Why Kanye West’s South Korea Tour Was Canceled

    Entertainment Spotlight: ‘Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage’ – Atlanta News First

    ‘Final Destination: Bloodlines’ tops box office while The Weeknd’s movie falters – Yakima Herald-Republic

    Final Destination: Bloodlines Dominates the Box Office as The Weeknd’s Film Struggles

    Country Music Legend Bids Heartfelt Farewell: ‘Y’all Gonna Make Me Tear Up!

  • General
  • Health
  • News

    Cracking the Code: Why China’s Economic Challenges Aren’t Shaking Markets, Unlike America’s” – Bloomberg

    Trump’s Narrow Window to Spread the Truth About Harris

    Trump’s Narrow Window to Spread the Truth About Harris

    Israel-Gaza war live updates: Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh assassinated in Iran, group says

    Israel-Gaza war live updates: Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh assassinated in Iran, group says

    PAP Boss to Niger Delta Youths, Stay Away from the Protest

    PAP Boss to Niger Delta Youths, Stay Away from the Protest

    Court Restricts Protests In Lagos To Freedom, Peace Park

    Court Restricts Protests In Lagos To Freedom, Peace Park

    Fans React to Jazz Jennings’ Inspiring Weight Loss Journey

    Fans React to Jazz Jennings’ Inspiring Weight Loss Journey

    Trending Tags

    • Trump Inauguration
    • United Stated
    • White House
    • Market Stories
    • Election Results
  • Science
  • Sports
  • Technology
    New technology adapting the study of Anatomy | Why’s Guy’s – WCIA.com

    Revolutionizing Anatomy: How Cutting-Edge Technology is Transforming the Study of the Human Body

    We Think GigaCloud Technology’s (NASDAQ:GCT) Solid Earnings Are Understated – Yahoo Finance

    Unlocking Potential: Why GigaCloud Technology’s Impressive Earnings Deserve More Recognition

    JPMorgan Chase plans to spend $18B in technology in 2025 (JPM:NYSE) – Seeking Alpha

    JPMorgan Chase Unveils Ambitious $18 Billion Tech Investment Plan for 2025!

    Nvidia plans to sell tech to speed AI chip communication – The Indian Express

    Nvidia Unveils Game-Changing Technology to Accelerate AI Chip Communication!

    Murfreesboro LPR technology helps catch suspect in Henry County homicide case – WKRN News 2

    Murfreesboro LPR technology helps catch suspect in Henry County homicide case – WKRN News 2

    How will BCI technology change the lives of people with disabilities? – news.cgtn.com

    Transforming Lives: The Impact of BCI Technology on People with Disabilities

    Trending Tags

    • Nintendo Switch
    • CES 2017
    • Playstation 4 Pro
    • Mark Zuckerberg
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Business
  • Entertainment
    First Celebrities Playing in the 2025 American Century Championship Announced – El Paso Inc.

    Exciting Lineup Revealed: First Celebrities Set to Compete in the 2025 American Century Championship!

    Palm Beach Council approves Breakers plans for new Family Entertainment Center – Palm Beach Daily News

    Palm Beach Council Greenlights Exciting New Family Entertainment Center at The Breakers!

    Why Was Kanye West’s South Korea Tour Cancelled? – Yahoo

    Unraveling the Mystery: Why Kanye West’s South Korea Tour Was Canceled

    Entertainment Spotlight: ‘Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage’ – Atlanta News First

    ‘Final Destination: Bloodlines’ tops box office while The Weeknd’s movie falters – Yakima Herald-Republic

    Final Destination: Bloodlines Dominates the Box Office as The Weeknd’s Film Struggles

    Country Music Legend Bids Heartfelt Farewell: ‘Y’all Gonna Make Me Tear Up!

  • General
  • Health
  • News

    Cracking the Code: Why China’s Economic Challenges Aren’t Shaking Markets, Unlike America’s” – Bloomberg

    Trump’s Narrow Window to Spread the Truth About Harris

    Trump’s Narrow Window to Spread the Truth About Harris

    Israel-Gaza war live updates: Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh assassinated in Iran, group says

    Israel-Gaza war live updates: Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh assassinated in Iran, group says

    PAP Boss to Niger Delta Youths, Stay Away from the Protest

    PAP Boss to Niger Delta Youths, Stay Away from the Protest

    Court Restricts Protests In Lagos To Freedom, Peace Park

    Court Restricts Protests In Lagos To Freedom, Peace Park

    Fans React to Jazz Jennings’ Inspiring Weight Loss Journey

    Fans React to Jazz Jennings’ Inspiring Weight Loss Journey

    Trending Tags

    • Trump Inauguration
    • United Stated
    • White House
    • Market Stories
    • Election Results
  • Science
  • Sports
  • Technology
    New technology adapting the study of Anatomy | Why’s Guy’s – WCIA.com

    Revolutionizing Anatomy: How Cutting-Edge Technology is Transforming the Study of the Human Body

    We Think GigaCloud Technology’s (NASDAQ:GCT) Solid Earnings Are Understated – Yahoo Finance

    Unlocking Potential: Why GigaCloud Technology’s Impressive Earnings Deserve More Recognition

    JPMorgan Chase plans to spend $18B in technology in 2025 (JPM:NYSE) – Seeking Alpha

    JPMorgan Chase Unveils Ambitious $18 Billion Tech Investment Plan for 2025!

    Nvidia plans to sell tech to speed AI chip communication – The Indian Express

    Nvidia Unveils Game-Changing Technology to Accelerate AI Chip Communication!

    Murfreesboro LPR technology helps catch suspect in Henry County homicide case – WKRN News 2

    Murfreesboro LPR technology helps catch suspect in Henry County homicide case – WKRN News 2

    How will BCI technology change the lives of people with disabilities? – news.cgtn.com

    Transforming Lives: The Impact of BCI Technology on People with Disabilities

    Trending Tags

    • Nintendo Switch
    • CES 2017
    • Playstation 4 Pro
    • Mark Zuckerberg
No Result
View All Result
Earth-News
No Result
View All Result
Home Science

Deception in Paleontology: The Painted ‘Skin’ on a 280-Million-Year-Old Fossil

February 27, 2024
in Science
Deception in Paleontology: The Painted ‘Skin’ on a 280-Million-Year-Old Fossil
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Home Science News

By James Ashworth, Natural History Museum February 26, 2024

Tridentinosaurus antiquus

Tridentinosaurus antiquus was discovered in the Italian Alps in 1931 and was thought to be an important specimen for understanding early reptile evolution — but has now been found to be, in part a forgery. Its body outline, appearing dark against the surrounding rock, was initially interpreted as preserved soft tissues but is now known to be paint. Credit: Dr. Valentina Rossi

Recent research has shown that the Tridentinosaurus antiquus fossil, once thought to contain preserved skin, is actually a forgery with painted “soft tissues,” highlighting the need for caution in paleontological research.

Preserved skin in a 280-million-year-old fossil may not be all that it seems.

New research has found that soft tissue in Tridentinosaurus antiquus is a forgery and warns against using the reptile in future research.

The importance of an ancient reptile fossil appears to be less than skin deep.

Historic Deception Unveiled

Discovered in the Alps in the 1930s, Tridentinosaurus antiquus was believed to be a rare fossil with its skin still preserved. However, a new study of the fossil suggests that it isn’t skin at all – but black paint.

Rather than offering an insight into early reptiles, Tridentinosaurus is seemingly evidence of a historic forgery. While the identity of the alleged culprit isn’t known, the researchers believe they carved the outline of a reptile around a few small leg bones, before painting the ‘soft tissue’ over the top.

While these leg bones appear to be genuine fossils, they’re not well preserved enough to reveal what Tridentinosaurus actually is.

Dr. Valentina Rossi, the lead author of the research published in the journal Palaeontology, says, “Fossilised soft tissues are rare, but can reveal important biological information about a species, like its external coloration, internal anatomy and physiology.”

“We hoped that the answer to all our questions about Tridentinosaurus was right in front of us, and so we studied the fossil specimen in detail to reveal its secrets, even those that, perhaps, we did not want to know.”

Dr. Marc Jones, the Natural History Museum’s Curator of Fossil Reptiles, adds, “This study highlights the importance of modern imaging techniques for carefully verifying apparent soft tissue remains in historical specimens.”

Getting Under the Skin

Since the discovery of Tridentinosaurus in 1931, the ancient reptile has posed a puzzle for scientists. While the fossil preserved very few bones, large parts of the animal’s skin appeared to have survived.

Though preserved soft tissues aren’t unknown in fossils, with mummified dinosaurs occasionally coming to light, they are extremely rare. Tridentinosaurus was even more unusual because its skin was thought to have been preserved by carbonization.

This is a process that normally only happens in plant fossils, where the plant’s tissues are converted into a thin and fragile layer of carbon. But as Tridentinosaurus was found among carbonized plants, researchers were not immediately suspicious of its origins.

Based on its shape, Tridentinosaurus was thought to be a type of animal called a protorosaur, a very early relative of birds, crocodiles, and dinosaurs. Having been kept in an Italian museum for many years, the researchers were keen to use the latest analytical techniques to see what the fossil might reveal about these animals.

In particular, being able to sample the skin could have revealed more about the ancient reptile’s lifestyle and anatomy, and perhaps its relatives.

With this in mind, the researchers took small samples of the fossil to study. The initial results were promising, revealing the presence of small scales known as osteoderms on the back of the animal. However, the other tests on Tridentinosaurus made the researchers suspicious of its soft tissue.

The team exposed Tridentinosaurus and a plant fossil found near it to UV light, causing the outline of Tridentinosaurus’ to become fluorescent while the plant stayed the same. Fossilized soft tissue doesn’t normally fluoresce, but certain pigments, varnishes, and glues do.

The outline was also surprisingly grainy for what was supposed to be soft tissue, while there were no chemical traces of fossilized melanin, the natural pigments that color hair, skin, and eyes. While tests on the chemical makeup of the layer were less conclusive, they were still consistent with a black paint being applied to the fossil.

As the description of the species was based on the shape of the body outline, the research calls Tridentinosaurus into doubt. The leg bones lack specific features that would separate this animal from its relatives, meaning it may not be a species in its own right.

However, as CT scans haven’t been carried out on the fossil, it’s possible that more helpful bones might exist under the surface of the rock. Until then, the scientists suggest that Tridentinosaurus is left out of future research on ancient reptiles.

For more on this story, see The 280-Million-Year-Old Fossil That Fooled Scientists for Decades.

Reference: “Forged soft tissues revealed in the oldest fossil reptile from the early Permian of the Alps” by Valentina Rossi, Massimo Bernardi, Mariagabriella Fornasiero, Fabrizio Nestola, Richard Unitt, Stefano Castelli and Evelyn Kustatscher, 15 February 2024, Palaeontology.
DOI: 10.1111/pala.12690

>>> Read full article>>>
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source : SciTechDaily – https://scitechdaily.com/deception-in-paleontology-the-painted-skin-on-a-280-million-year-old-fossil/

Tags: deceptionPaleontologyscience
Previous Post

Leucine Exposed: How Your High-Protein Diet Could Be Hardening Your Arteries

Next Post

Beyond Binary: The Light-Driven Computing Revolution

Where to Bring Your Own Cup – Department of Ecology – State of Washington (.gov)

Discover the Best Spots to Bring Your Own Cup!

May 20, 2025
Scientists think a hidden source of clean energy could power Earth for 170,000 years — and they’ve figured out the ‘recipe’ to find it – Live Science

Unlocking the Future: Scientists Discover a Hidden Clean Energy Source That Could Power Earth for 170,000 Years!

May 20, 2025
Scientists Recreated The Ancient Chemical Reactions That May Have Sparked Life – ScienceAlert

Unlocking the Secrets of Life: Scientists Recreate Ancient Chemical Reactions That Could Have Sparked Existence

May 20, 2025
Help! The New Neighbors Follow a Strange … Lifestyle. They’re Holding Our Block Hostage. – Slate Magazine

Help! Our New Neighbors Are Taking Over the Block with Their Bizarre Lifestyle!

May 20, 2025
How Trump took over the world’s glitziest film festival – politico.eu

How Trump took over the world’s glitziest film festival – politico.eu

May 20, 2025
Credit rating downgrade triggers warning signs for U.S. economy – PBS

Credit Rating Downgrade Raises Red Flags for the U.S. Economy

May 20, 2025
First Celebrities Playing in the 2025 American Century Championship Announced – El Paso Inc.

Exciting Lineup Revealed: First Celebrities Set to Compete in the 2025 American Century Championship!

May 20, 2025

Breaking: Butler Hospital Cuts Health Benefits for Striking Employees

May 20, 2025
Watch Trump’s first major overseas trip of his second term in 3 minutes – CNN

Experience Trump’s First Major Overseas Adventure of His Second Term in Just 3 Minutes!

May 20, 2025
New technology adapting the study of Anatomy | Why’s Guy’s – WCIA.com

Revolutionizing Anatomy: How Cutting-Edge Technology is Transforming the Study of the Human Body

May 20, 2025

Categories

Archives

May 2025
MTWTFSS
 1234
567891011
12131415161718
19202122232425
262728293031 
« Apr    
Earth-News.info

The Earth News is an independent English-language daily published Website from all around the World News

Browse by Category

  • Business (20,132)
  • Ecology (623)
  • Economy (636)
  • Entertainment (21,550)
  • General (15,223)
  • Health (9,678)
  • Lifestyle (641)
  • News (22,149)
  • People (639)
  • Politics (644)
  • Science (15,860)
  • Sports (21,146)
  • Technology (15,627)
  • World (626)

Recent News

Where to Bring Your Own Cup – Department of Ecology – State of Washington (.gov)

Discover the Best Spots to Bring Your Own Cup!

May 20, 2025
Scientists think a hidden source of clean energy could power Earth for 170,000 years — and they’ve figured out the ‘recipe’ to find it – Live Science

Unlocking the Future: Scientists Discover a Hidden Clean Energy Source That Could Power Earth for 170,000 Years!

May 20, 2025
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy & Policy
  • Contact

© 2023 earth-news.info

No Result
View All Result

© 2023 earth-news.info

No Result
View All Result

© 2023 earth-news.info

Go to mobile version