Non-integumentary melanosomes can bias reconstructions of the colours of fossil vertebrates
The colour of extinct animals has been inferred from fossilized melanosomes – organelles rich in melanin. Here, the authors show that internal melanosomes that do not contribute to colour are abundant in some extant vertebrates and may redistribute during fossilization, necessitating caution in inte...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Nature Portfolio
2018-07-01
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| Series: | Nature Communications |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-018-05148-x |