PubHawk
Nature February 2010 PMID 20107440

Fossilized melanosomes and the colour of Cretaceous dinosaurs and birds.

Fucheng Zhang, Stuart L Kearns, Patrick J Orr, Michael J Benton, Zhonghe Zhou, Diane Johnson, Xing Xu, Xiaolin Wang

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Mentions

88
Peak: 2 in Oct 2021
across 4 sources since May 2020

Extended reach

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Total likes

496

Video views

12,018

Mentions per month

May 2020 – Sep 2025

Where it's discussed

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AI synopsis

What people are saying

The evaluations reflect a generally positive view of the publication, exemplified by comments like 'several articles describe the colors' and references to the significance of melanosome studies, which reveals active interest and recognition of its scientific importance. The tone ranges from technical references to casual remarks about available literature, contributing to a perception of moderate engagement and recognition of the article's impact on our understanding of ancient species.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions recognize the significance of the research, with some commenting on its scientific value and implications for understanding dinosaur coloration.

InterestHigh interest

Participants show high curiosity about the topic, with references to multiple articles and ongoing research involving melanosomes and dinosaur colors.

EngagementModerate engagement

While some tweets are brief, others delve into debates over the findings and methods, indicating moderate engagement.

ImpactModerate impact

The discussions suggest that the research influences ongoing studies and public understanding, though not yet revolutionizing the field entirely.

Abstract in brief

  • Fossilized melanosomes, which are organelles responsible for coloration, have been found in both early bird feathers and non-avian dinosaur filaments from the Jehol Group in China, challenging previous ideas that some filaments were just decayed collagen fibers.
  • The study identifies different types of melanosomes (eumelanosomes and phaeomelanosomes), allowing scientists to infer the original colors and patterns of extinct species, such as the reddish-brown stripes on the tail of Sinosauropteryx.
  • These findings help enhance our understanding of dinosaur and early bird appearance, biology, and the evolution of feathers and flight by revealing the microstructure and coloration of these ancient creatures.]
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Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Julian Norris
@Paleoguy073 · X

@ICRscience Hmmmmmmm

Nov 30, 2022 · 145 likes · 3 shares · 374 followers View post →
Gareth
@gazer117 · X

@MudKevin @easternblot @WhySharksMatter For anyone interested there is quite a lot of published material on dinosaur colours out there (spoilers it's mostly brown/black) https://t.co/41sCFZVxkH

May 6, 2020 · 8 likes · 439 followers View post →
神流町恐竜センター（公式）
@saurusukun · X

解説した元の論文は Fossilized melanosomes and the colour of Cretaceous dinosaurs and birds. (Zhang et al., 2010, Nature) https://t.co/rBFd9zQ6v7

Oct 27, 2021 · 3 likes · 1 share · 6,036 followers View post →
Chaotic Evil
@CaioVeras23 · X

@Mitsui2325 @xaropante @senshi_real "Fossilized melanosomes and the colour of Cretaceous dinosaurs and birds" Li esse artigo quando lançou, deve ter gratuito por aí. Vários artigos descrevem as cores através das técnicas de melanosomas, como por exemplo o do Sinosauropteryx. Enfim, era só pesquisar.

Sep 5, 2025 · 1 like · 163 followers View post →
DataWorkout
@dataworkout · X

@DaveVescio Orange-striped Trumpraptors, believed to have migrated from what is now the Siberian tundra, alledgely spotted causing havoc in what is now North America. Artwork below by Chuang Zhao and Lida Xing DOI: 10.1038/nature08740 https://t.co/UQIVZTkDTY

Aug 29, 2020 · 1,271 followers View post →
高光暎
@AkiraTakahikaru · X

RT @saurusukun: 解説した元の論文は Fossilized melanosomes and the colour of Cretaceous dinosaurs and birds. (Zhang et al., 2010, Nature) https://t.c…

Oct 27, 2021 · 1 share · 249 followers View post →

All mentions

Chaotic Evil
@CaioVeras23 · X

@Mitsui2325 @xaropante @senshi_real "Fossilized melanosomes and the colour of Cretaceous dinosaurs and birds" Li esse artigo quando lançou, deve ter gratuito por aí. Vários artigos descrevem as cores através das técnicas de melanosomas, como por exemplo o do Sinosauropteryx. Enfim, era só pesquisar.

Sep 5, 2025 · 1 like · 163 followers View post →
Darwin Destroyer
@Tom40581073 · X

@Nebulan42 @ZaGareth @ICRscience frilled lizard, Chlamydosaurus kingii), comprehensively refuting the notion of free filaments, i.e. protofeathers in Sinosauropteryx." https://t.co/XOW3j1ureM https://t.co/xDdSqrT4qq https://t.co/rjcu2YdxEw

Feb 9, 2023 · 17 followers View post →
∞⚛️
@megallosaurus · X

RT @Paleoguy073: @ICRscience Hmmmmmmm

Dec 3, 2022 · 3 shares · 105 followers View post →
Kabe
@og_kabe · X

RT @Paleoguy073: @ICRscience Hmmmmmmm

Dec 3, 2022 · 3 shares · 36 followers View post →
Julian Norris
@Paleoguy073 · X

@ICRscience Hmmmmmmm

Nov 30, 2022 · 145 likes · 3 shares · 374 followers View post →
高光暎
@AkiraTakahikaru · X

RT @saurusukun: 解説した元の論文は Fossilized melanosomes and the colour of Cretaceous dinosaurs and birds. (Zhang et al., 2010, Nature) https://t.c…

Oct 27, 2021 · 1 share · 249 followers View post →
神流町恐竜センター（公式）
@saurusukun · X

解説した元の論文は Fossilized melanosomes and the colour of Cretaceous dinosaurs and birds. (Zhang et al., 2010, Nature) https://t.co/rBFd9zQ6v7

Oct 27, 2021 · 3 likes · 1 share · 6,036 followers View post →
DataWorkout
@dataworkout · X

@DaveVescio Orange-striped Trumpraptors, believed to have migrated from what is now the Siberian tundra, alledgely spotted causing havoc in what is now North America. Artwork below by Chuang Zhao and Lida Xing DOI: 10.1038/nature08740 https://t.co/UQIVZTkDTY

Aug 29, 2020 · 1,271 followers View post →
Gareth
@gazer117 · X

@MudKevin @easternblot @WhySharksMatter For anyone interested there is quite a lot of published material on dinosaur colours out there (spoilers it's mostly brown/black) https://t.co/41sCFZVxkH

May 6, 2020 · 8 likes · 439 followers View post →