恐龙羽毛颜色的复原研究

Researches about Reconstruction of Dinosaur Feather Colors

摘要: 羽毛是鸟类的表皮衍生物，不仅形态结构多样，而且色彩图案丰富。羽毛颜色可分为色素色和结构色，而最终表现出的颜色是这两种颜色产生机制的综合效应。中国辽宁西部地区中生代带羽毛恐龙化石的发现，证实了羽毛在鸟类祖先恐龙身上已经出现，那么恐龙羽毛是否也具有与鸟类一样的颜色及颜色产生机制也成为人们关注的热点问题。羽毛化石中色素体的发现为复原带羽毛恐龙的羽毛颜色打开了一扇窗口。本文介绍了辽西中生代带羽毛恐龙羽毛颜色复原研究的最新进展以及该研究在认识恐龙生理生态上的意义。

Abstract: Among living animals, feathers are unique integumentary derivatives of birds. The feathers of birds have evolved into diverse forms and colors. The colors can be divided into pigmentary colors and structural colors, and the final colors are a combined effect of the two ways. The discovery of Mesozoic feathered dinosaurs in western Liaoning of China has confirmed that feathers have appeared among bird ancestors, therefore, whether dinosaur feathers have the same color and color-generation mechanism as birds become a hotspot. The discovery of pigment bodies, called melanosomes, in feather fossils opens a window for restoring the feather colors of dinosaurs. Here we introduce the latest research progress in this study and the significance in understanding the physiology and ecology of dinosaurs.