Thursday, October 30, 2014

Dinosaur Color Vision Lead To the Evolution of Feathers

Beyond the Rainbow. 2014. Koschowitz, et al. Science

Acheroraptor by Julius Csotonyi

Phylogentic evidience suggests that dinosaurs had good color vision, including the ability to see UV light. A new study suggests that the evolution of flat, flight-like feathers evolved to exploit the refracting ability of interlocked strands of keratin to produce structural colors, such as blue & green. This enhanced color palate would have given dinosaurs better communication and signaling abilities which is important for mating, foraging, and avoiding predators. PR