• Welcome to BirdForum, the internet's largest birding community with thousands of members from all over the world. The forums are dedicated to wild birds, birding, binoculars and equipment and all that goes with it.

    Please register for an account to take part in the discussions in the forum, post your pictures in the gallery and more.
ZEISS DTI thermal imaging cameras. For more discoveries at night, and during the day.

First fossilized skin of a giant penguin from the Eocene of Antarctica (1 Viewer)

Fred Ruhe

Well-known member
Netherlands
Carolina Acosta Hospitaleche, Martín De Los Reyes, ÂSergio Santillana & Marcelo Reguero, 2020

First fossilized skin of a giant penguin from the Eocene of Antarctica

Lethaia (advance online publication)

Abstract: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/let.12366

An articulated wing belonging to Palaeeudyptes gunnari containing mineralized skin was found in Lutetian (middle Eocene) sediments from Seymour Island, Antarctica. It shows the connective tissues, morphology and density of the feather follicles, and a groove pattern left by the feather calami resting on the skin. Analysis of the preserved surfaces indicates a composition of calcium phosphate. This is the most complete and only articulated wing described for this species and represents the first record of a neornithine bird preserving three‐dimensional integument. Plumage density of the wing MLP 14‐I‐10‐22, estimated by counting the follicles under a stereoscopic microscope, is lower than that of the modern Emperor penguin.

Enjoy,

Fred
 
Palaeeudyptes gunnari MLP 14‐I‐10‐22 and comparative material. A, articulated wing of the fossil in cranial view, the dot indicates where sample 1 was taken. B, skin of Aptenodytes forsteri dissected from the propatagium showing details of the follicles for comparative purposes. C, close‐up of B between follicles showing the skin fibres. D, mineralized skin of Palaeeudyptes gunnari removed from the area marked with the blue dot. E, close‐up of D between follicles showing the skin fibres. F, transversal section of the humerus; the arrow indicates the area of the bone from which the section was taken.

Fred
 

Attachments

  • Paeleudyptes gunneri.jpg
    Paeleudyptes gunneri.jpg
    149.5 KB · Views: 9
Warning! This thread is more than 4 years ago old.
It's likely that no further discussion is required, in which case we recommend starting a new thread. If however you feel your response is required you can still do so.

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top