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Mats Eriksson

Mats Eriksson

Professor

Mats Eriksson

Molecular and microstructural inventory of an isolated fossil bird feather from the Eocene Fur Formation of Denmark

Författare

  • Johan Gren
  • Peter Sjövall
  • Mats Eriksson
  • Rene Sylvestersen
  • Federica Marone
  • Kajsa Sigfridsson Clauss
  • Gavin Taylor
  • Stefan Carlson
  • Per Uvdal
  • Johan Lindgren

Summary, in Swedish

An isolated, yet virtually intact contour feather
(FUM-1980) from the lower Eocene Fur Formation of Denmark
was analysed using multiple imaging and molecular
techniques, including field emission gun scanning electron
microscopy (FEG-SEM), X-ray absorption spectroscopy and
time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS).
Additionally, synchrotron radiation X-ray tomographic
microscopy (SRXTM) was employed in order to produce a
digital reconstruction of the fossil. Under FEG-SEM, the
proximal, plumulaceous part of the feather revealed masses
of ovoid microstructures, about 1.7 µm long and 0.5 µm
wide. Microbodies in the distal, pennaceous portion were
substantially smaller (averaging 0.9 x 0.2 µm), highly elongate,
and more densely packed. Generally, the microbodies
in both the plumulaceous and pennaceous segments were
aligned along the barbs and located within shallow depressions
on the exposed surfaces. Biomarkers consistent with
animal eumelanins were co-localized with the microstructures,
to suggest that they represent remnant eumelanosomes
(i.e. eumelanin-housing cellular organelles). Additionally,
ToF-SIMS analysis revealed the presence of sulfur-containing
organics – potentially indicative of pheomelanins – associated
with eumelanin-like compounds. However, since there
was no correlation between melanosome morphology and
sulfur content, we conclude these molecular structures derive
from diagenetically incorporated sulfur rather than pheomelanin.
Melanosomes corresponding roughly in both size and
morphology with those in the proximal part of FUM-1980
are known from contour feathers of extant parrots (Psittaciformes),
an avian clade that has previously been reported
from the Fur Formation.

Avdelning/ar

  • Berggrundsgeologi
  • MAX IV-laboratoriet
  • Funktionell zoologi
  • Syngruppen
  • Kemisk fysik

Publiceringsår

2017-01-01

Språk

Engelska

Sidor

73-90

Publikation/Tidskrift/Serie

Palaeontology

Volym

60

Issue

1

Dokumenttyp

Artikel i tidskrift

Förlag

Wiley-Blackwell

Ämne

  • Other Earth and Related Environmental Sciences
  • Geology

Status

Published

Forskningsgrupp

  • Lund Vision Group

ISBN/ISSN/Övrigt

  • ISSN: 1475-4983