Chemical Content of Waterfowl Plumage as a Potential Diagnostic Tool

Kelsall, John P.; Calaprice, J. R.

doi:10.2307/3799237

Cited by 24 publications

(14 citation statements)

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“…Although phosphatized muscle tissue has been reported from the Solnhofen (21), the phosphorus and sulfur levels responsible for the rachis images presented here do not require the addition of P or S from elsewhere. Indeed, the levels we report for the rachis in Table 1 (310 ppm for P and 65 ppm for S) represent P concentrations well within the documented range of extant feathers (22)(23)(24)(25)(26) and S concentrations 3 orders of magnitude lower than S levels reported for extant feathers (27). Thus there is no need to add P and S via geochemical processes to produce these images; in fact, there has been considerable S loss and probably loss of P as well.…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 71%

Archaeopteryx feathers and bone chemistry fully revealed via synchrotron imaging

Bergmann

Morton

Manning

et al. 2010

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

117

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Evolution of flight in maniraptoran dinosaurs is marked by the acquisition of distinct avian characters, such as feathers, as seen in Archaeopteryx from the Solnhofen limestone. These rare fossils were pivotal in confirming the dinosauria-avian lineage. One of the key derived avian characters is the possession of feathers, details of which were remarkably preserved in the Lagerstätte environment. These structures were previously simply assumed to be impressions; however, a detailed chemical analysis has, until now, never been completed on any Archaeopteryx specimen. Here we present chemical imaging via synchrotron rapid scanning X-ray fluorescence (SRS-XRF) of the Thermopolis Archaeopteryx, which shows that portions of the feathers are not impressions but are in fact remnant body fossil structures, maintaining elemental compositions that are completely different from the embedding geological matrix. Our results indicate phosphorous and sulfur retention in soft tissue as well as trace metal (Zn and Cu) retention in bone. Other previously unknown chemical details of Archaeopteryx are also revealed in this study including: bone chemistry, taphonomy (fossilization process), and curation artifacts. SRS-XRF represents a major advancement in the study of the life chemistry and fossilization processes of Archaeopteryx and other extinct organisms because it is now practical to image the chemistry of large specimens rapidly at concentration levels of parts per million. This technique has wider application to the archaeological, forensic, and biological sciences, enabling the mapping of "unseen" compounds critical to understanding biological structures, modes of preservation, and environmental context. trace elements | X-ray absorption spectroscopy A rchaeopteryx (1) are rare but occupy a pivotal place in the development of Darwinian evolution because of their possession of both reptilian (jaws with teeth and a long bony tail) and avian (feathered wings) characters (2). The specimen used in this study is considered to be the most complete and best preserved archaeopterygid (3) belonging to the species A. siemensii (4). Previous analyses of this fossil have relied upon visual inspection, X-ray computer tomography, scanning electron, and ultraviolet/ visible light microscopy. Structural studies have been extensive and strongly indicate that this organism is transitional between dinosaurs and birds; however, detailed chemical analysis has never been performed. Here we apply state-of-the-art synchrotron rapid scanning X-ray fluorescence (SRS-XRF) imaging to this remarkably well-preserved specimen revealing striking and previously unknown details about the chemical preservation of soft tissue, elemental distribution patterns most likely related to the organism's life processes, insights into the chemistry of the fossilization process, and details of curation history. In addition, quantitative chemical analyses and X-ray absorption spectroscopy are presented that not only corroborate the imaging results but also give further det...

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Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 71%

Archaeopteryx feathers and bone chemistry fully revealed via synchrotron imaging

Bergmann

Morton

Manning

et al. 2010

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

117

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“…Although many northern scientists have long relied on the land skills and land knowledge of local guides to do their research, wildlife research has a long history of also using local harvest records and harvester knowledge to better understand wildlife behavior and abundance. However, reliance on local knowledge and expertise in wildlife research declined in the postwar era when researchers began to emphasize the importance of trained observers, systematic observation, and scientific instrumentation (Banfield 1954, Kelsall and Calaprice 1972, Levere 1993, Bocking 2007. Another early example of Mode 2 research identified in our analysis presented a compelling account of why participatory approaches were needed in the Arctic and how to accomplish them (Francis 1973).…”

Section: Prevalence Of Mode 1 and Mode 2 Research In Arctic Sciencementioning

confidence: 93%

The evolution of local participation and the mode of knowledge production in Arctic research

Brunet¹,

Hickey²,

Humphries³

2014

E&S

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ABSTRACT. Arctic science is often claimed to have been transformed by the increased involvement of local people, but these claims of a new research paradigm have not been empirically evaluated. We argue that the "new" participatory research paradigm emerging in Arctic science embodies many of the principles of the Mode 2 knowledge production framework. Using the Mode 2 thesis as an assessment framework, we examined research articles appearing between 1965 and 2010 in the journal Arctic to assess the extent to which there has been a paradigm shift toward more participatory approaches. Results suggest that the involvement of local people has increased only slightly over the last half century and continues to vary systematically among disciplines, organizations, and regions. Analysis of three additional journals focused on Arctic and circumpolar science establishes the generality of these slight increases in local involvement. There is clearly room for more community involvement in Arctic science, but achieving this will require either increasing the proportional representation of the organizations, disciplines, and regions with a track record of successful Mode 2 research, or encouraging Mode 2 research innovation within the organizations, disciplines, and regions currently predominated by Mode 1 approaches.

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“…Subsequent trace element research in the 1960s and 1970s was applied to waterfowl populations (Kelsall and Calaprice, 1972). Later, Parrish et al (1983), identified 14 trace elements that could identify the geographical origins of peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus) sampled with 100% predictability of the study areas.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Later, Parrish et al (1983), identified 14 trace elements that could identify the geographical origins of peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus) sampled with 100% predictability of the study areas. Nonetheless, the use of trace elements to establish migratory connectivity of birds is limited to a few studies (Kelsall and Calaprice, 1972;Parrish et al, 1983;Sźep et al, 2003;Donovan et al, 2006;Norris et al, 2007).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Some of these techniques, include X-ray spectrometry (Kelsall and Calaprice, 1972), Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES) (Sźep et al, 2003;Donovan et al, 2006) and High Resolution-Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (HR-ICP-MS) (Norris et al, 2007), which require sample digestion or dissolution prior to analysis. Sample dissolution is particularly disadvantageous because the sample is destroyed and cannot be used for multiple analyses (Sźep et al, 2003).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Distinguishing breeding populations of mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) using trace elements

Kaimal

Johnson

Hannigan

2009

Journal of Geochemical Exploration

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Chemical Content of Waterfowl Plumage as a Potential Diagnostic Tool

Cited by 24 publications

References 0 publications

Archaeopteryx feathers and bone chemistry fully revealed via synchrotron imaging

Archaeopteryx feathers and bone chemistry fully revealed via synchrotron imaging

The evolution of local participation and the mode of knowledge production in Arctic research

Distinguishing breeding populations of mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) using trace elements

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