Decoding the Evolution of Melanin in Vertebrates

Trends in Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 36(5), P. 430 - 443

Published: Feb. 5, 2021

Melanins are widespread pigments in vertebrates, with important roles visual signaling, UV protection, and homeostasis. Fossil evidence of melanin melanin-bearing organelles - melanosomes ancient vertebrates may illuminate the evolution its functions, but macroevolutionary trends poorly resolved. Here, we integrate fossil data current understanding function, biochemistry, genetics. Mapping key genes onto phenotypic attributes identifies potential genomic controls on evolution. Taxonomic anatomical location, geometry, chemistry vertebrate linked to endothermy. These shifts biology suggest fundamental links between melanization ecology. Tissue-specific taxonomic support for evolutionary tradeoffs function cytotoxicity.

Language: Английский

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Recent Advances in Characterization of Melanin Pigments in Biological Samples

International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 24(9), P. 8305 - 8305

Published: May 5, 2023

The melanin pigments eumelanin (EM) and pheomelanin (PM), which are dark brown to black yellow reddish-brown, respectively, widely found among vertebrates. They produced in melanocytes the epidermis, hair follicles, choroid, iris, inner ear, other tissues. diversity of colors animals is mainly caused by quantity quality their melanin, such as ratios EM versus PM. We have developed micro-analytical methods simultaneously measure PM used these study biochemical genetic fundamentals pigmentation. photoreactivity has become a major focus research because postulated relevance for risk UVA-induced melanoma. Our application many clinical studies on conditions associated with alterations Recently, besides chemical degradative methods, been characterization also discussed here.

Language: Английский

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Pterosaur melanosomes support signalling functions for early feathers

Nature, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 604(7907), P. 684 - 688

Published: April 20, 2022

Remarkably well-preserved soft tissues in Mesozoic fossils have yielded substantial insights into the evolution of feathers1. New evidence branched feathers pterosaurs suggests that originated avemetatarsalian ancestor and dinosaurs Early Triassic2, but homology these pterosaur structures with is controversial3,4. Reports homogeneous ovoid melanosome geometries2,5 suggest they exhibited limited variation colour, supporting hypotheses early functioned primarily thermoregulation6. Here we report presence diverse geometries skin simple a tapejarid from Cretaceous found Brazil. The melanosomes form distinct populations different feather types skin, feature previously known only theropod dinosaurs, including birds. These tissue-specific indicate manipulation colour-and thus functions visual communication-has deep evolutionary origins. features show genetic regulation chemistry shape7-9 was active evolution.

Language: Английский

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Hierarchical biota-level and taxonomic controls on the chemistry of fossil melanosomes revealed using synchrotron X-ray fluorescence

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 10(1)

Published: June 2, 2020

Abstract Fossil melanosomes, micron-sized granules rich in melanin vivo , provide key information for investigations of the original coloration, taxonomy and internal anatomy fossil vertebrates. Such studies rely, part, on analysis inorganic chemistry preserved melanosomes an understanding melanosome chemical taphonomy. The extent to which is biased by biotic abiotic factors is, however, unknown. Here we report discovery hierarchical controls from vertebrates nine biotas. data are dominated a strong biota-level signal, indicating that primary taphonomic control diagenetic history host sediment. This extrinsic superimposed biological, tissue-level control; tissue-specific variation most likely survive fossils where distinct Comparative our modern amphibians reveals specimens show chemistries differ those extant analogues, strongly suggesting alteration chemistry. Collectively, these findings form predictive tool identification deposits with well-preserved amenable colour anatomy.

Language: Английский

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Engenharia de materiais: materializando o futuro

Published: Jan. 1, 2022

A Engenharia de Materiais não é apenas uma das ciências mais rápido crescimento e evolução, mas também que está na vanguarda da tecnologia moderna, abrangendo todas as facetas vida no século XXI. O eBook organizado por Nícolas Lara, tendo acesso gratuito site Editora Pimenta Cultural.

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Reconstructing Vertebrate Paleocolor

Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 48(1), P. 345 - 375

Published: May 30, 2020

Melanin and other pigments are now well known to be important in exceptional preservation of soft tissues vertebrates animals. Because confer coloration even structural colors, they have opened a new field paleocolor reconstruction. Since its inception about decade ago, reconstruction color patterns has been performed on several vertebrates, including feathered scale-clad dinosaurs. Iridescence types can also identified through melanosome shape arrangement. How melanosomes fossilize altered become an research subject. Ancient that may range from crypsis brilliant displays revealed insights into the evolution escalation visual systems, nature ancient animal interactions, how unique characteristics birds already arose among ▪ preserve fossils; this opens paths for reconstructing extinct organisms, such as The most abundant pigment is melanin, which chemically preserved microbodies. Melanosome reveals clues original hue ranging reddish brown black gray coloration. Other preserve, porphyrin theropod dinosaur eggshells. Fossil contribute predator-prey key innovations.

Language: Английский

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Forged soft tissues revealed in the oldest fossil reptile from the early Permian of the Alps

Palaeontology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 67(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2024

Abstract Tridentinosaurus antiquus represents one of the oldest fossil reptiles and very few skeletal specimens with evidence soft tissue preservation from Cisuralian (Early Permian) Italian Alps. The appearance have puzzled palaeontologists for decades its taphonomy phylogenetic position remained unresolved. We reanalysed T. using ultraviolet light (UV), 3D surface modelling, scanning electron microscopy coupled energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM‐EDS), micro x‐ray diffraction (μ‐XRD), Raman attenuated total reflectance Fourier transformed infrared (ATR‐FTIR) to determine origin body outline test whether this remains organically preserved tissues which in turn could reveal important anatomical details about enigmatic protorosaur. results reveal, however, that material forming is not fossilized but a manufactured pigment indicating forgery. Our discovery poses new questions validity taxon.

Language: Английский

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Synchrotron radiation in palaeontological investigations: Examples from Brazilian fossils and its potential to South American palaeontology

Journal of South American Earth Sciences, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 108, P. 102973 - 102973

Published: Nov. 6, 2020

Language: Английский

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No protofeathers on pterosaurs

Nature Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 4(12), P. 1590 - 1591

Published: Sept. 28, 2020

Language: Английский

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A new non-destructive method to decipher the origin of organic matter in fossils using Raman spectroscopy

RSC Advances, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 14(37), P. 26747 - 26759

Published: Jan. 1, 2024

We demonstrate that Raman spectroscopy, coupled with spectral interrogation and multivariate statistical analysis, can be used to discriminate among diverse kerogen-like biosignatures. Our approach shed new light on the origin of fossil organics.

Language: Английский

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