A New Method for Finding Small Vertebrate Fossils: Ultraviolet Light At Night

Croft, Darin A.; Kaye, Tom; Panko, Laura J

doi:10.1111/j.0031-0239.2004.00398.x

Cited by 13 publications

(10 citation statements)

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“…Fluorescence has been equally useful to study plant fossils (e.g. [ 20 ]) and even to prospect and search for fossils [ 19 , 21 , 22 ]. Tischlinger and Arratia [ 17 ] briefly mentioned that Talbragar fish fossils fluoresce under UV light but gave no further details.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Imaging of Jurassic fossils from the Talbragar Fish Bed using fluorescence, photoluminescence, and elemental and mineralogical mapping

Frese

Gloy²,

Oberprieler

et al. 2017

PLoS ONE

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The Talbragar Fish Bed is one of Australia’s most important Jurassic deposits for freshwater fishes, land plants and aquatic and terrestrial insects. The site has yielded many well preserved fossils, which has led to the formal description of numerous new species and higher taxa. The excellent preservation of many fossils has allowed detailed anatomical studies, e.g. of the early teleost fish Cavenderichthys talbragarensis (Woodward, 1895). Here we report on the fluorescent characteristics and mineral composition of a range of Talbragar fossils. Most specimens fluoresce under ultraviolet, blue and green light. Elemental and mineralogical analyses revealed that the Talbragar fossils consist predominantly of quartz (SiO2), a mineral that is likely to account for the observed fluorescence, with trace kaolinite (Al2Si2O5(OH)4) in some of the fish fossils. Rock matrices are predominantly composed of quartz and goethite (FeO(OH)). Closer inspection of a plant leaf (Pentoxylon australicum White, 1981) establishes fluorescence as a useful tool for the visualisation of anatomical details that are difficult to see under normal light conditions.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Imaging of Jurassic fossils from the Talbragar Fish Bed using fluorescence, photoluminescence, and elemental and mineralogical mapping

Frese

Gloy²,

Oberprieler

et al. 2017

PLoS ONE

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“…The field of biology has made tremendous scientific advances through the use of laser-induced fluorescence mostly through the widespread use of confocal laser microscopes [ 9 – 12 ]. In paleontology, UV light has seen increasing use in recent years where the resulting fluorescence can often reveal structures and patterns not seen under white light [ 13 , 14 ]. The typical UV light source consists of commonly available standard fluorescent lamps with low wattage and a wavelength of 364 nanometers (nm) [ 7 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Hoya brand) [ 6 ]. The limited variety of detectable fluorescence in fossils has been a primary limitation in the past using standard UV bulbs [ 14 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Laser-Stimulated Fluorescence in Paleontology

et al. 2015

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Fluorescence using ultraviolet (UV) light has seen increased use as a tool in paleontology over the last decade. Laser-stimulated fluorescence (LSF) is a next generation technique that is emerging as a way to fluoresce paleontological specimens that remain dark under typical UV. A laser’s ability to concentrate very high flux rates both at the macroscopic and microscopic levels results in specimens fluorescing in ways a standard UV bulb cannot induce. Presented here are five paleontological case histories that illustrate the technique across a broad range of specimens and scales. Novel uses such as back-lighting opaque specimens to reveal detail and detection of specimens completely obscured by matrix are highlighted in these examples. The recent cost reductions in medium-power short wavelength lasers and use of standard photographic filters has now made this technique widely accessible to researchers. This technology has the potential to automate multiple aspects of paleontology, including preparation and sorting of microfossils. This represents a highly cost-effective way to address paleontology's preparatory bottleneck.

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“…Because a lot of specimens fluoresce under UV exposure (Spiders: [ 9 ], [ 10 ]; Insects: [ 11 ], [ 12 ]; Crustaceans: [ 13 ]; Birds: [ 2 ], [ 14 ]; Fish: [ 15 ]; Fossils: [ 16 ], [ 17 ]; Plants: [ 18 ], [ 19 ], [ 20 ]; etc. ), the possibilities which low cost UV lights have not only in digitization, but also in general for taxonomic, morphologic and other research are endless.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Revealing Invisible Beauty, Ultra Detailed: The Influence of Low Cost UV Exposure on Natural History Specimens in 2D+ Digitization

Brecko¹,

Mathys²,

Dekoninck³

et al. 2016

PLoS ONE

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Digitization of the natural history specimens usually occurs by taking detailed pictures from different sides or producing 3D models. Additionally this is normally limited to imaging the specimen while exposed by light of the visual spectrum. However many specimens can see in or react to other spectra as well. Fluorescence is a well known reaction to the ultraviolet (UV) spectrum by animals, plants, minerals etc. but rarely taken into account while examining natural history specimens. Our tests show that museum specimens still fluoresce when exposed to UV light of 395 nm and 365 nm, even after many years of preservation. When the UV exposure is used in the digitization of specimens using our low cost focus stacking (2D+) setup, the resulting pictures reveal more detail than the conventional 2D+ images. Differences in fluorescence using 395 nm or 365 nm UV lights were noticed, however there isn’t a preferred wavelength as some specimens react more to the first, while others have better results with the latter exposure. Given the increased detail and the low cost of the system, UV exposure should be considered while digitizing natural history museum collections.

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A New Method for Finding Small Vertebrate Fossils: Ultraviolet Light At Night

Cited by 13 publications

References 0 publications

Imaging of Jurassic fossils from the Talbragar Fish Bed using fluorescence, photoluminescence, and elemental and mineralogical mapping

Imaging of Jurassic fossils from the Talbragar Fish Bed using fluorescence, photoluminescence, and elemental and mineralogical mapping

Laser-Stimulated Fluorescence in Paleontology

Revealing Invisible Beauty, Ultra Detailed: The Influence of Low Cost UV Exposure on Natural History Specimens in 2D+ Digitization

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