The dinosaurs dark pigments probably served other purposes as well. Dark stripes on the inside of its legs may have warded off insects, like the slashes adorning the legs of modern-day zebras. And spots on the outside of the front legs could have hardened the skin, thanks to the toughening qualities of pigment molecules.
Other scientists say that given the difficulty of reconstructing extinct animals and their environments, the new study makes a good case that this animal turned to camouflage.
Its no surprise that a dinosaur should do so, paleontologist David Hone of Britains Queen Mary University of London says via email. But it is very important as it shows that these patterns really were present.
That gives confidence we will find more, and then can start to see how things change over time.
The new results are very cool, says paleontologist Gareth Dyke of Hungarys University of Debrecen, who has found that the extinct reptiles known as mosasaurs had dark backs and may have had light bellies. Whats interesting, Dyke says, is the variety of different colors seen on this single fossil. We dont see that, as far as I know, in many, if any other, fossil dinosaurs.
Feathered dinosaurs are known to have boasted beautifully colored plumage, but Vinther argues that this specimen had scales, not feathers. And that makes this Psittacosaurus the clear winner in its division of the dinosaur beauty contest.
