Orange-Colored Lichens Helping Paleontologists Discover Dinosaur Fossils
Lichens are symbioses between fungi and algae (and/or cyanobacteria) that play important ecological roles and colonize many substrates, including fossils.
According to new research, they can serve as biological indicators of fossils in western North America and can be identified using remote sensing.
Preferential colonization of dinosaur bones by lichens can be observed, as noted by Dr. Brian Pickles, a researcher at the University of Reading.
“This research highlights how modern organisms can help us to find ancient ones,”
“It’s remarkable to consider that these lichens, essentially miniature ecosystems, are founded upon the remains of dinosaurs that died over 75 million years ago.”
“Using drone technology to detect the spectral signatures of the lichens could potentially revolutionize how paleontologists search for fossils.”
Author summary: Lichens help discover dinosaur fossils.
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