A groundbreaking pioneer study with Mesozoic fossils has discovered compelling evidence that they can preserve their original organic molecules, including those from dinosaur bones and teeth.
Using advanced mass spectrometry and other techniques, the research, led by the University of Liverpool, identified preserved collagen remnants in the hip bone of an Edmontosaurus, a duck-billed dinosaur, helping to settle a three-decade debate on whether organic matter was destroyed during fossilization.
The study, published in the journal Analytical Chemistry, employed various techniques, including protein sequencing, to detect and characterize bone collagen in the fossil weighing 22 kilograms.
This fossil is an exceptionally well-preserved Edmontosaurus sacrum, excavated from the Upper Cretaceous strata of the Hell Creek Formation in South Dakota. It is part of the University of Liverpool’s collections and offers a unique opportunity for cutting-edge analysis.
Impact of the Discovery of Organic Matter in Dinosaur Bones
Professor Steve Taylor, head of the Mass Spectrometry Research Group at the Department of Electrical Engineering and Electronics at the University of Liverpool, stated in a release, “This research unequivocally demonstrates that organic biomolecules, such as collagen, appear to be present in some fossils.”
The findings have significant implications. Firstly, it refutes the hypothesis that any organic matter found in fossils is a result of contamination.
Secondly, it suggests that fossil bone images obtained through cross-polarized light microscopy, collected over a century, should be reviewed.
These images could reveal intact patches of bone collagen, potentially offering a treasure trove of fossil candidates ready for further analysis. This could reveal new insights into dinosaurs, such as connections between dinosaur species that remain unknown, explained Taylor.
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