π¦ This 120-Million-Year-Old Pterosaur Shimmered in Iridescent Green and Magenta
A new analysis of a Sinopterus dongi fossil from northeast China reveals pterosaurs displayed dazzling iridescent colors β deep greens and magentas β millions of years before birds evolved the same trick. Researchers found highly ordered, rod-like melanosomes in the creature pycnofibers, the exact same structural feature that makes pigeons shimmer in sunlight today. The diversity of those melanosomes also hints the flying reptile was warm-blooded with a fast metabolism. Were these ancient fliers putting on colorful courtship displays just like modern birds?
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