There have been some discoveries of unusually well-preserved fossil dinosaur specimens which bear remnants of tissues and bodily structures. Organic tissue was previously thought to decay too quickly to enter the fossil record, unlike more mineralised bones and teeth, however, research now suggests the potential for the long-term preservation of original soft tissues over geological time,[1] leading to the formulation of various hypotheses regarding the underlying mechanisms involved.[2]
Stomach contents with the bones of what was once believed to belong to a juvenile Coelophysis individual, showing evidence of cannibalism. However, more recent reviews suggest these to be the bones of the small crocodylomorphHesperosuchus agilis
Coelophysisbauri with crocodylomorph remains in their stomach cavity
Another possible example of cannibalism with a supposed juvenile leg bone in an adult Coelophysis stomach. However, further examination reveals that the juvenile was actually deposited below another individual and was not in the stomach cavity at all
Tiny, probably juvenile, theropod track marks with skin impressions
Avialans
This section is missing information about specimen numbers, age, sources, etc.. Please expand the section to include this information. Further details may exist on the talk page.(July 2025)
An anchiornithid; smaller specimen with preserved feathers covering the legs and arm with fossilized melanosomes indicating a dark grey and black coloration. May not belong to Anchiornis[22]
Nearly complete and articulated specimen with extensive feather preservationon the wings, legs and feet. Along with long head feathers with preserved pigments which indicate a red color
Nearly complete specimen with preserved feathers on the legs, tail, and some around the body. There are also preserved melanosomes indicating the presence of eumelanin, implying a dark coloration
Referred Anchiornis huxleyi YTGP-T5199 and accompanying diagram
Multiple specimens with preserved feathers on the arms, legs, and around the body. As well as skin impressions showing scales on the feet, ankles, fingers and claws
Anchiornis huxleyi skeletal diagram by Scott Hartman showing multiple feather impressions from multiple specimens
A single isolated fossil feather with preserved melanosomes indicating a probable black coloration for at least the wings. Has in the past been considered to belong to another avialan, but recent studies reaffirm Archaeopteryx affinties[35][37]
Archaeopteryx lithographica feather imprint, formerly assigned as the holotype
Exceptionally preserved specimen with preserved feathers, approximately 100 gastroliths within the stomach region, and impressions of probable lung tissue
A juvenile specimen with preserved feathers on the wings and gastric contents containing propagules, fruits, seeds, and ovules, although no gastroliths
Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology
Bohaiornis guoi
Aptian
Jiufotang Formation
China
Large stones, interpreted as gastroliths in the stomach cavity. But are more likely rocks deposited on top of the specimen and are not in the stomach at all
A probable anchiornithid paravian with preserved plumage around the body that possesses pigments that might indicate black and iridescent “rainbow” colors, similar to that of a common grackle
A lithornithid bird with two specimens each with preserved wing feathers, skin impressions of pes scales, and plumage around the body which preserves pigments indicating a glossy, iridescent black, like that of a crow
A gansuid ornithuromorph with feather impressions on the tail and wings, with preserved melanosomes indicating a black coloration, and gastroliths within the stomach
Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology
Confuciusornis sanctus
Aptian
Jiufotang Formation
China
Nearly complete specimen with preserved skin impressions and feathers with preserved melanosomes, indicating colors of grey, black, brown, and red, similar to a modern zebra finch
Two specimens with preserved plumage around the bodies, one with bifurcated tail feathers and the other without, probably representing a male and female
A small enantiornithine bird with preserved body feathers and bifurcated tail feathers. Furthermore, two specimens of Dastilbe sp. near the digestive track
Fossilized impressions of what were believed to be feathers belonging to the flightless galloanseraeDiatryma, but were in fact Sedge material belonging to the unique species Cyperacites filiferus
Preserved skin impressions of scales on the feet, possibly remnants of an ovarian follicle meaning the individual was female, and extensive plumage preservation with fossilized melanosomes indicating a black iridescent coloration
a small basal therizinosauroid; a disarticulated specimen of a subadult with preserved plumage around the tail. As well as what has been interpreted as blood cells but are more likely diagenic structures composed of kaolinite clay
Specimen composed of a head, neck, and upper half of the torso with preserved protofeathers around the neck. As well as phosphatized skin flakes revealing corneocytes
Nearly complete specimen missing the head with preserved feathers on the arms and around the tail. Molecule remnants are also present. As well as gastroliths within the stomach
Nearly complete basal Dromaeosaurid with preserved plumage on the back and neck, intestinal tracks similar to Scipionyx, and a frog specimen, probably representing Mesophryne near the feet
A basal oviraptorosaur; two juvenile specimens formerally assigned to Similicaudipteryx yixianensis with preserved feathers on the tail, hands, and arms. Furthermore, one specimen possibly shows signs of moulting
A basal ornithomimosaur; smooth scaleless skin on the head, scale impression on the arm, possible occipital crest, and possible lizard-like dewlap or gular pouch similar to modern pelicans, although now prepared over and mostly lost
A microraptorine dromaeosaurid with faintly preserved feather impressions around the body, legs, arms, and tail containing fossilized melanosomes indicating a glossy iridescence
Exceptionally preserved juvenile specimen with scaly skin impressions and feathery filaments on the underside of the tail and leg. Possibly a juvenile megalosaurid[186][184]
Exceptionally preserved specimen with fossilized protofeathers running along the back. The feathers even preserve melanosomes, indicating a reddish-brown upper side, lighter white underside, and striped tail
A larger specimen with preserved protofeathers running a long the back present with melanosomes. As well as stomach contents containing a specimen of the small shinisaurian lizard Dalinghosaurus sp.
Sinosauropteryx prima holotype specimen (left) compared to the referred specimen NIGP 127587 (right)
Preserved filaments on its shoulders. The name "Ubirajara" is a nomen nudum since the paper describing it was withdrawn following controversy around the specimen's legality[195]
A near-complete juvenile specimen that preserved exceptional phosphatized internal organs, including intestines, tracheal rings, traces of blood tissues, gut contents including lizard remains, a rectum containing fish scales, and even the impression of where the heart would be. Possibly a juvenile carcharodontosaurid[198]
Exceptionally preserved juvenile specimen with fossilized protofeather plumage around the tail and body, as well as skin impressions on the underside of the torso and tail. Possibly a juvenile megalosauroid[186]
Ostelogical correlates for cornified pads and large crocodylian-like scales across the entire face. However, the distribution of foramina in the bone seems to indicate that the extra oral tissue doesn't actually resemble Crocodiles much at all[205][206]
Skin impressions supposedly showing smooth scaleless "naked" skin like that seen some modern flightless birds. Phil Bell and colleagues report that the impressions were covered in plaster and losin the 1980s[200]
A now potentially destroyed specimen of a basal tyrannosauroid with skin impressions on the hindlimb, present with large scutellate scales similar to some modern birds
A now lost articulated skull with accompanying skin impressions complete with a "wattle or bag of skin under the jaws" similar to some modern lizards. Possibly the same specimen as the Tarbosaurus mummy[222]
Currently unpublished skin impressions on the metatarsal. This specimen may be a juvenile Tyrannosaurus or belong to a unique taxon Nanotyrannus lancensis[226]
Skin impression of Tyrannosaurusrex from the Dueling Dinosaurs specimen
Supposedly preserved red blood cells and proteins within the femur. However this conclusion is controversial and others have supposed it to be permineralized biofilm[229][230]
An unpublished alleged 'mummy' from Paul Sereno which is supposedly scaleless
Dietrich Speciman
Tyrannosaurus rex
Maastrichtian
United States
Currently unpublished possible skin impressions on the neck. Probably not actual skin impressions, possibly a negative impression from a trionychid turtle
Skin impressions on the underside of the tail, plantar pads on the underside of the feet, and scutate scales on the legs like those seen in some modern birds
Possible osteological correlates for muscle attachment points on the pelvis, legs, and on the correlates for scales on the snout and a neurovascular system on the skull
A brachiosaurid with 115 stones of varying sizes interpreted as gastroliths preserved in the stomach cavity, but are more likely stones were deposited on top of the specimen
A titanosaur specimen with preserved fossilized collegian and internal proteins as well as possible osteological correlates for soft tissue on the neural spine
Chiappe, Luis M.; Meng, Qingjin (2016). Birds of Stone: Chinese Avian Fossils from the Age of Dinosaurs. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN978-0-297-84156-2.
Sanders, F.; Manley, K.; Carpenter, K. (2001). "Gastroliths from the Lower Cretaceous sauropod Cedarosaurus weiskopfae". In Tanke, Darren; Carpenter, Ken (eds.). Mesozoic Vertebrate Life: New Research Inspired by the Paleontology of Philip J. Currie. Indiana University Press. pp. 166–180. ISBN0-253-33907-3
1 2 Larson, P.; Larson, M.; Ott, C.; Bakker, R. (2007). "Skinning a Triceratops". Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology. 27 (3 Suppl): 104A. JSTOR30126393.
↑ "Leonardo". Great Plains Dinosaur Museum and Field Station. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
↑ Gierliński, G. (1996). "Feather-like impressions in a theropod resting trace from the Lower Jurassic of Massachusetts". Museum of Northern Arizona Bulletin. 60: 179–184.
↑ Witte, F.E. 1863. Die Archaeopteryx lithographica. (Letter to Prof. H.B. Geinitz). – Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie, Geologie und Palaeontologie 1863: 567–568; Stuttgart.
↑ Wagner, A. (1862). "On a new Fossil Reptile supposed to be furnished with Feathers". Annals and Magazine of Natural History. 3 (9): 261–267.
↑ Heller, F. (1959). "Ein dritter Archaeopteryx-Fund aus den Solnhofener Plattenkalken von Longenaltheim/Mfr". Erlanger Geologische Abhandlungen. 31: 1–25.
↑ Rietschel, S. (1985). "Feathers and wings of Archaeopteryx and the question of her flight ability". In Hecht, M. K.; et al. (eds.). The Beginning of Birds. Eichstätt. pp. 371–376.
↑ Sanz, J.L.; Buscalioni, A.D. (November 1992). "A new bird from the Early Cretaceous of Las Hoyas, Spain, and the early radiation of birds." Palaeontology. 35 (4): 829–845.
↑ Zhou, Z., and Wang, X. (2000). "A new species of Caudipteryx from the Yixian Formation of Liaoning, northeast China." Vertebrata PalAsiatica, 38(2): 113–130. PDF fulltext Archived 2007-10-07 at the Wayback Machine
↑ Noe, D., Lockley, M. & Hadden, G. (2014). Vertebrate tracks from the Cretaceous Dakota Group, Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area, Delta County, Colorado. New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science, Bulletin 62, 385–391.
↑ Ji, Q., and Ji, S. (1997). "Protarchaeopterygid bird (Protarchaeopteryx gen. nov.) – fossil remains of archaeopterygids from China." Chinese Geology, 238: 38–41.
↑ Cerroni, M. A.; Canale, J. I.; Novas, F. E. (2020). "The skull of Carnotaurus sastrei Bonaparte 1985 revisited: insights from craniofacial bones, palate and lower jaw". Historical Biology. 33 (10): 2444–2485. doi:10.1080/08912963.2020.1802445. S2CID225374445.
↑ Hendrickx, Christophe; Bell, Phil R. (August 2021). "The scaly skin of the abelisaurid Carnotaurus sastrei (Theropoda: Ceratosauria) from the Upper Cretaceous of Patagonia". Cretaceous Research. 128 104994. Bibcode:2021CrRes.12804994H. doi:10.1016/j.cretres.2021.104994.
↑ Bonaparte, J.; Mateus, O. (1999). "A New Diplodocid, Dinheirosaurus lourinhanensis gen. et sp. nov., from the Late Jurassic Beds of Portugal" (PDF). Revista del Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales. 5 (2): 13–29. ISSN 0524-9511
↑ Torino~tschopp.e@gmail.com, Emanuel Tschopp~Università di; Hannover~dr.wings@gmail.com, Oliver Wings~Landesmuseum; Zurich~thomas.frauenfelder@usz.ch, Thomas Frauenfelder~University Hospital; Zürich~winand.brinkmann@pim.uzh.ch, Winand Brinkmann~Paläontologisches Institut und Museum der Universität (2015-08-28). "Articulated bone sets of manus and pedes of Camarasaurus (Sauropoda, Dinosauria)". Palaeontologia Electronica. doi:10.26879/559. Retrieved 2025-06-09.
↑ Csiki, Zoltán (1999). "New evidence of armoured titanosaurids in the Late Cretaceous - Magyarosaurus dacus from the Hateg Basin (Romania)". Oryctos. 2: 93–99.
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