"This is the first time we've found dinosaur material preserved in amber," co-author Ryan McKellar, of the Royal Saskatchewan Museum in Canada, told the BBC News website.
DNA is actually very unstable relative to protein. The oldest sample successfully sequenced was ~700,000 years old.BillTre said:Can't do genetic testing because (as I understand it) amber tends to break down DNA rather than preserve it.
Finding a dinosaur tail preserved in amber is significant because it provides a rare and unique glimpse into the anatomy and behavior of dinosaurs. It allows us to study and learn about these ancient creatures in a way that was previously impossible.
The age of the amber containing the dinosaur tail can vary, but it is estimated to be around 99 million years old. This means that the tail belonged to a dinosaur that lived during the Cretaceous period.
The preserved tail can provide information about the physical characteristics of the dinosaur, such as its size and shape. It can also give insight into the dinosaur's movements and behavior, as well as its evolutionary relationships with other dinosaurs.
Amber is a natural resin that is produced by certain trees. When a small animal, such as an insect or a lizard, becomes trapped in the resin, it can preserve the animal's body parts in incredible detail. In the case of the dinosaur tail, it is likely that the tail got stuck in the resin and was preserved before it could decompose.
Amber fossils have provided a wealth of information about ancient life on Earth. In addition to the dinosaur tail, scientists have found insects, plants, and even feathers preserved in amber. These discoveries have helped us better understand the evolution of various species and their interactions with their environments.