Fossilization of feathers

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Research Article| September 01, 1995 Fossilization of feathers Paul G. Davis; Paul G. Davis 1Department of Geology, University of Bristol, Wills Memorial Building, Queen' Road, Bristol BS8 1RJ, United Kingdom Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Derek E. G. Briggs Derek E. G. Briggs 1Department of Geology, University of Bristol, Wills Memorial Building, Queen' Road, Bristol BS8 1RJ, United Kingdom Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Paul G. Davis 1Department of Geology, University of Bristol, Wills Memorial Building, Queen' Road, Bristol BS8 1RJ, United Kingdom Derek E. G. Briggs 1Department of Geology, University of Bristol, Wills Memorial Building, Queen' Road, Bristol BS8 1RJ, United Kingdom Publisher: Geological Society of America First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2682 Print ISSN: 0091-7613 Geological Society of America Geology (1995) 23 (9): 783–786. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1995)023<0783:FOF>2.3.CO;2 Article history First Online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Permissions Search Site Citation Paul G. Davis, Derek E. G. Briggs; Fossilization of feathers. Geology 1995;; 23 (9): 783–786. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1995)023<0783:FOF>2.3.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract Scanning electron microscopy of feathers has revealed evidence that a bacterial glycocalyx (a network of exocellular polysaccharide fibers) played a role in promoting their fossilization in some cases. This mode of preservation has not been reported in other soft tissues. The majority of fossil feathers are preserved as carbonized traces. More rarely, bacteria on the surface are replicated by authigenic minerals (bacterial autolithification). The feathers of Archaeopteryx are preserved mainly by imprintation following early lithification of the substrate and decay of the feather. Lacustrine settings provide the most important taphonomic window for feather preservation. Preservation in terrestrial and normal-marine settings involves very different processes (in amber and in authigenically mineralized coprolites, respectively). Therefore, there may be a significant bias in the avian fossil record in favor of inland water habitats. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.