As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Paleontologists have actually explained a brand-new genus and types of Triassic drepanosauromorph diapsid with striking integumentary appendages– which are neither plumes nor skin– based upon 2 unspoiled skeletons and associated specimens. Their findings show that plumes or hair-like protrusions are not distinct to birds and mammals.
Mirasaura grauvogeli in its natural forested environment, searching pests. Image credit Gabriel Ugueto.
Plumes and hair are examples of intricate appendages on the external bodies of vertebrate animals and have essential functions such as forming insulation, assisting feeling, supplying display screens and adding to flight.
Plumes and hair have their origins in stem family trees of birds and mammals, respectively.
The hereditary toolkit for the advancement of these appendages is most likely to have much deeper roots amongst amniotes– the branch of animals that includes reptiles, birds and mammals.
A Triassic reptile types explained by Dr. Stephan Spiekman from the Staatliches Museum für Naturkunde Stuttgart and his associates had an unique crest of appendages as much as 15.3 cm (6 inches) long along its back.
Called Mirasaura grauvogelithis unusual animal resided in what is now Europe some 247 million years earlier.
The types had an ostensibly bird-like skull, it belonged to a group of diapsids called Drepanosauromorpha.
The anatomy of Mirasaura grauvogeliImage credit: Spiekman et aldoi: 10.1038/ s41586-025-09167-9.
2 unspoiled skeletons and 80 specimens with separated appendages and maintained soft tissues of Mirasaura grauvogeli were discovered in northeastern France in the 1930s however stayed unknown till more preparation was carried out recently.
“This permitted the crests and skeletal remains to be associated to each other,” the paleontologists discussed.
“The tissues maintained within the appendages include melanosomes (pigment-producing cells discovered in skin, hair and plumes) that are more comparable to those seen in plumes than in reptilian skin or mammalian hair, although they do not have the normal branching patterns seen in plumes.”
“These findings recommend that such complicated appendages currently progressed amongst reptiles before the origin of birds and their closest loved ones, which might provide brand-new insights into the origin of plumes and hair.”
“Considering the function of the appendages seen in Mirasaura grauvogeliwe eliminated functions in flight or camouflage and rather recommend a possible function in visual interaction (signaling or predator deterrence).”
The group’s paper was released today in the journal Nature
_____
S.N.F. Spiekman et alTriassic diapsid reveals early diversity of skin appendages in reptiles. Naturereleased online July 23, 2025; doi: 10.1038/ s41586-025-09167-9
Learn more
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
