The discovery of dinosaur material preserved in amber marks a significant milestone in paleontology, as stated by co-author Ryan McKellar from the Royal Saskatchewan Museum. While genetic testing is not feasible due to the degradation of DNA in amber, this finding allows for detailed structural analysis. The presence of lice in dinosaur feathers indicates a co-evolutionary relationship between parasites and their hosts, suggesting that modern birds may share a lineage with these ancient creatures. The oldest successfully sequenced DNA sample is approximately 700,000 years old, highlighting the limitations of DNA preservation in amber.
PREREQUISITESPaleontologists, evolutionary biologists, and researchers interested in ancient ecosystems and the preservation of biological materials.
"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.