Fig. 3: Fossilised Psittacosaurus stratum corneum. | Nature Communications

Fig. 3: Fossilised Psittacosaurus stratum corneum.

From: Cellular structure of dinosaur scales reveals retention of reptile-type skin during the evolutionary transition to feathers

Fig. 3

Plan view of the fossil surface (a, under UV light) and a fractured vertical section (b and c, under natural light and UV light, respectively) of the fossil skin (sampling location shown in Fig. 2g). Arrowheads in a and b indicate the same position on the rib bone. d–g Scanning electron micrographs of the fossil skin showing a layered structure with individual layers that are fragmented laterally. Close-up of the region indicated in g (h) with interpretive drawing (i) highlighting a single sublayer (dark grey in i) with tapering lateral tips; light grey shading in i denotes over- and underlying sublayers and dashed lines denote fractures.

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