Lichens and drones reveal dinosaur bones

Vibrant orange-coloured lichens are serving to scientists uncover dinosaur fossils in Canada, in keeping with a brand new examine revealed in the present day [3 November] in Current Biology.

An worldwide staff of palaeontologists and distant sensing scientists have made an thrilling discovery at UNESCO World Heritage Site Dinosaur Provincial Park, in Alberta. They have discovered that sure lichen species preferentially colonise uncovered dinosaur bones, creating distinctive spectral signatures that may be detected from 30 metres above floor utilizing drones.

Dr Brian Pickles, from the University of Reading (UK), and lead creator of the paper, mentioned: “This analysis highlights how fashionable organisms can assist us to search out historic ones.

“It’s outstanding to think about that these lichens, basically miniature ecosystems, are based upon the stays of dinosaurs that died over 75 million years in the past. Using drone know-how to detect the spectral signatures of the lichens might doubtlessly revolutionise how palaeontologists seek for fossils.”

The staff discovered that the 2 lichen species – Rusavskia elegans and Xanthomendoza trachyphylla – colonised as a lot as 50% of uncovered fossil bones however lower than 1% of surrounding rock fragments. This doubtless happens as a result of dinosaur bones present the alkaline, calcareous, and porous substrates these lichens favour. 

Dr Caleb Brown, from the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology (Canada), mentioned: “This pattern of lichen growing preferentially on fossil bone has been noted for decades, but never quantified until now. When first encountering high concentrations of exposed fossil bone like bonebeds, it is often the ‘meadow’ of orange lichen that is noticed first, not the bones themselves.” 

Using Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (drones) with specialised sensors, the staff efficiently recognized lichen-colonised fossils from aerial pictures with 2.5cm pixel decision. The lichens exhibit distinct spectral properties, displaying decrease reflectance in blue wavelengths and better reflectance in infrared areas.

The methodology can provide vital benefits for palaeontological prospecting, notably in distant terrain the place conventional floor surveys are difficult. The strategy might speed up fossil discovery whereas decreasing subject prices and environmental impression.

The analysis builds on a long time of anecdotal observations by palaeontologists. In 1980, palaeontologist Darren H. Tanke speculated that the orange pigmentation of the lichen on Centrosaurus bones could be detectable by satellites – a prediction that appears nearer than ever now that they are often discovered utilizing airborne drone know-how.

Dr Derek Peddle, a part of the distant sensing staff from the University of Lethbridge (Canada), mentioned: “This drone study lays the groundwork for mapping much larger areas using aircraft and satellites. The new lichen indicators we’ve developed will help us find fossils across vast landscapes. It’s exciting to combine our imaging technology with this international team’s expertise to advance dinosaur discovery through remote sensing of lichen.”

The staff emphasises that the strategy works properly in semi-arid environments just like the Canadian Badlands, the place the particular lichen species thrive and bones stay uncovered lengthy sufficient for colonisation. They intend to discover the broader extent of this affiliation of their future work.

Brian J. Pickles, Caleb M. Brown, Sean Herridge-Berry, Cameron R. Martin, Melissa Dergousoff, Teri Gilmar, Phil R. Bell, Derek R. Peddle. Remote sensing of lichens with drones for detecting dinosaur bones