Scientists Discover World’s First Dinosaur Tail Covered in Feathers Preserved in Amber

Paleontologist Lida Xing has made history after discovering what’s thought to be the first known dinosaur tail preserved in a piece of amber. Thought to be from the mid-Cretaceous Period the 1.4-inch segment of tail is around 99 millions years old and consists of 8 vertebrae that are very clearly covered in primitive feathers. Based on its structure scientists have been able to rule out the possibility of the tail belonging to a bird and instead believe that it belongs to a juvenile coelurosaur.

Whilst the evidence to support the idea that feathered dinosaurs has been previously found in fossil impressions and dinosaur-era feathers have been found in amber, this discovery is the first that scientists have been able to associate with a dinosaur.

Through this discovery it’s hoped that scientists can further their understanding on the evolution and structure of dinosaur feathers. You can read more about the find on National Geographic.

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