Iridescent, feathered dinosaur offers fresh evidence that feathers evolved to attract mates
Thursday, March 8, 2012 - 15:30
in Paleontology & Archaeology
Researchers have revealed that the small, feathered dinosaur Microraptor had a glossy iridescent sheen like a modern crow and that its tail was narrow and adorned with a pair of streamer feathers, suggesting feathers originally evolved for display, rather than flight. The new fossil is the earliest record of iridescent color in feathers.