image: A modified version of figure S9C in the SOM: A feather barb within Late Cretaceous Canadian amber that shows some indication of original coloration, specimen TMP 96.9.997. The oblong brown masses within the dark-field photomicrograph are concentrated regions of pigmentation within the barbules. In this specimen, the overall feather color appears to have been medium- or dark-brown. This image relates to an article that appeared in the Sept. 16, 2011, issue of Science, published by AAAS. The study, by Dr. R.C. McKellar of University of Alberta in Edmonton, AB, Canada, and colleagues was titled, "A Diverse Assemblage of Late Cretaceous Dinosaur and Bird Feathers from Canadian Amber.” view more
Credit: Image © <i>Science</i>/AAAS