In a new research, it has been found that the feathered dinosaurs may not have looked as imagined by people and portrayed in popular media. The study has found that these extinct reptiles were not entirely feathered and had either scaly skin or feathery patches.

In a new research, it has been found that the feathered dinosaurs may not have looked as imagined by people and portrayed in popular media. The study has found that these extinct reptiles were not entirely feathered and had either scaly skin or feathery patches. The new discovery has added a twist to the theories of how the evolution of feathers happened in the dinosaurs. How did the scientists find what feathered dinosaurs' skin looked like? The scientists exposed the unremarkable dinosaur fossil to ultraviolet (UV) light which revealed not-known patches of preserved skin which fluoresced a vibrant orange-yellow. The discovery was made during a Psittacosaurus specimen's examination by palaeontologists at University College Cork (UCC) in Ireland. The new findings have hinted that the body of the dinosaurs was not solely covered by the feathers. Also Read: Climate change may have forced some dinosaur groups to become warm-blooded: Study The areas of preserved skin which did not have feathers and were exposed to UV light suggested that these reptiles have a more complex integumentary system than earlier believed. “The fossil truly is a hidden gem. The fossil skin is not visible to the naked eye, and it remained hidden when the specimen was donated to Nanjing University in 2021. Only under UV light is the skin visible, in a striking orange-yellow glow,” said Dr. Zixiao Yang, who was one of the lead researchers, as reported by Earth.com. Fossils of feathered dinosaurs hint at glassy skin: Study Advanced imaging techniques were used by the research team to utilise X-rays and infrared light for examining the details of the fossilised skin. This helped them observe the skin's intricate cellular structure which was kept preserved for millions of years. In the analysis, it was found that the primary composition of the skin was silica, a mineral compound which is commonly called the main component of glass. Watch: These animals are real climate heroes This is the first time that scientists have discovered silica-based skin preservation in vertebrate fossils. The well-preserved soft tissue of the fossil hinted that more secrets may be hidden in specimens. “The evolution of feathers from reptilian scales is one of the most profound yet poorly understood events in vertebrate evolution. While numerous fossils of feathers have been studied, fossil skin is much more rare,” said Prof Maria McNamara, a senior author of the study. (With inputs from agencies)

Did feathered dinosaurs exist? Study says these reptiles had scaly skins like lizards

A rare and highly sought-after feather from the extinct huia bird of New Zealand was sold at an auction for a whopping NZD$46,521 ($28,365), making it the world’s most expensive feather. The long-extinct huia bird was endemic to the North Island of New Zealand and was last seen in the early 1900s, but there was also a reported sighting in 1924.&nbsp;

<h2>About the auction</h2>

The feather that went under the hammer earlier this week was estimated to fetch somewhere between $2,000-$3,000.&nbsp;However, it ended up exceeding expectations.&nbsp;

According to Auckland-based Webb’s Auction House, the feather of the bird which was last spotted in the 20th century has previously sold for up to $5,100.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/looks-like-hell-india-burns-up-with-higher-than-average-temperatures-imd-shares-heat-map-724288">‘Looks like hell’: India swelters with higher than average temperatures, IMD shares heat map</a>

“This rare huia feather is a beautiful example of Aotearoa’s natural history and reminds us of the fragility of our ecosystem,” said Leah Morris, head of decorative arts at the auction house, in a statement.&nbsp;

Morris told the Guardian that she believes that the single feather’s excellent condition and the efforts to protect it with archival paper and UV glass as well as the story of the huia, drove up the bids.&nbsp;

According to the British newspaper, the specimen was one of the best huia feathers the house had seen come to market.

<h2>More expensive than gold?</h2>

The feather which weighs approximately nine grams was also deemed far more valuable than gold.&nbsp;

On the day of the auction which took place on Monday (May 20), gold was worth $127 per gram, while when compared to the price it was sold at, one gram of the feather was worth $5,169.&nbsp;

The huia which was also the largest of New Zealand’s wattlebird species, known for its beautiful song was considered a prized bird, which sadly also proved fatal for the species.&nbsp;

The last confirmed sighting of the bird with predominantly black glossy feathers and white-tipped long-tail feathers was in 1907.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/this-japanese-spoon-makes-food-taste-saltier-without-actually-adding-more-salt-heres-how-724204">This Japanese spoon makes food taste saltier without actually adding more salt. Here's how</a>

The bird was considered sacred to the Māoris and often featured in their songs and sayings, the feathers of the huia were also reversed for the chiefs and people with mana (prestige), according to the Guardian.

When the Europeans arrived in New Zealand the birds were already rare, and the European craze for their feathers led to their ultimate demise. The attempts to save the bird from going extinct by the scientists in the early 1900s also failed.&nbsp;

All prospective buyers of the feather, which is considered of national importance, required a permit from New Zealand’s Ministry for Culture and Heritage ahead of Monday’s sale.&nbsp;

As the feather could only be bought by a registered collector and cannot leave the country without the ministry’s permission.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

A rare and highly sought-after feather from the extinct huia bird of New Zealand was sold at an auction for a whopping NZD$46,521 ($28,365), making it the world’s most expensive feather.

A rare and highly sought-after feather from the extinct huia bird of New Zealand was sold at an auction for a whopping NZD$46,521 ($28,365), making it the world’s most expensive feather. The long-extinct huia bird was endemic to the North Island of New Zealand and was last seen in the early 1900s, but there was also a reported sighting in 1924. About the auction The feather that went under the hammer earlier this week was estimated to fetch somewhere between $2,000-$3,000. However, it ended up exceeding expectations. According to Auckland-based Webb’s Auction House, the feather of the bird which was last spotted in the 20th century has previously sold for up to $5,100. Also Read | ‘Looks like hell’: India swelters with higher than average temperatures, IMD shares heat map “This rare huia feather is a beautiful example of Aotearoa’s natural history and reminds us of the fragility of our ecosystem,” said Leah Morris, head of decorative arts at the auction house, in a statement. Morris told the Guardian that she believes that the single feather’s excellent condition and the efforts to protect it with archival paper and UV glass as well as the story of the huia, drove up the bids. According to the British newspaper, the specimen was one of the best huia feathers the house had seen come to market. More expensive than gold? The feather which weighs approximately nine grams was also deemed far more valuable than gold. On the day of the auction which took place on Monday (May 20), gold was worth $127 per gram, while when compared to the price it was sold at, one gram of the feather was worth $5,169. The huia which was also the largest of New Zealand’s wattlebird species, known for its beautiful song was considered a prized bird, which sadly also proved fatal for the species. The last confirmed sighting of the bird with predominantly black glossy feathers and white-tipped long-tail feathers was in 1907. Also Read | This Japanese spoon makes food taste saltier without actually adding more salt. Here's how The bird was considered sacred to the Māoris and often featured in their songs and sayings, the feathers of the huia were also reversed for the chiefs and people with mana (prestige), according to the Guardian. When the Europeans arrived in New Zealand the birds were already rare, and the European craze for their feathers led to their ultimate demise. The attempts to save the bird from going extinct by the scientists in the early 1900s also failed. All prospective buyers of the feather, which is considered of national importance, required a permit from New Zealand’s Ministry for Culture and Heritage ahead of Monday’s sale. As the feather could only be bought by a registered collector and cannot leave the country without the ministry’s permission. (With inputs from agencies)

World’s most expensive feather sold at auction in New Zealand

An election for “Bird of the Year” has turned murky in New Zealand after 1,500 fake votes were cast in favour of the little-spotted Kiwi.

Now, the fake votes have been cancelled, and voting continues for New Zealand's next Bird of the Year.

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The little-spotted Kiwi is the smallest bird in the kiwi family. Its supporters have been accused of voter fraud. New Zealand has a tradition of selecting a bird of the year. Each voter can rank five birds of their choice, and the bird with most votes is selected as bird of the year.

The organisers do not tolerate fraud, with each person allowed to vote once. This year, more than 35,000 votes have been cast. During counting, officials noticed an irregularity: 1,500 votes were cast from the same IP address.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/new-zealands-first-ever-indian-origin-minister-priyanca-radhakrishnan-speaks-malayalam-as-video-goes-viral-341129" hreflang="en">New Zealand's first-ever Indian-origin minister Priyanca Radhakrishnan speaks Malayalam as video goes viral</a>

The little-spotted Kiwi was leading the race for a brief while, but once the fake votes were removed it dropped down the leaderboard.

In New Zealand, bird of the year elections can get heated, with endorsements coming in from all quarters.

Hihi bird

An adult toy store backed its candidature because the Hihi bird takes more than one partner.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/india-news/priyanca-radhakrishnan-becomes-new-zealands-first-ever-indian-origin-minister-report-339823" hreflang="en">Priyanca Radhakrishnan becomes New Zealand's first-ever Indian-origin minister: Report</a>

Bird of the year elections have always been scandalous. In 2015, two teenagers tried to rig the vote in favour of the Kokako bird.

Again in 2018, a single person tried to vote more than 300 times. The little-spotted Kiwi is a flagship of New Zealand. It stands for the national values of democracy, fairness and equality.

An election for “Bird of the Year” has turned murky in New Zealand after 1,500 fake votes were cast in favour of the little-spotted Kiwi. Now, the fake votes have been cancelled, and voting continues for New Zealand's next Bird of the Year.

An election for “Bird of the Year” has turned murky in New Zealand after 1,500 fake votes were cast in favour of the little-spotted Kiwi. Now, the fake votes have been cancelled, and voting continues for New Zealand's next Bird of the Year. The little-spotted Kiwi is the smallest bird in the kiwi family. Its supporters have been accused of voter fraud. New Zealand has a tradition of selecting a bird of the year. Each voter can rank five birds of their choice, and the bird with most votes is selected as bird of the year. The organisers do not tolerate fraud, with each person allowed to vote once. This year, more than 35,000 votes have been cast. During counting, officials noticed an irregularity: 1,500 votes were cast from the same IP address. Also read: New Zealand's first-ever Indian-origin minister Priyanca Radhakrishnan speaks Malayalam as video goes viral The little-spotted Kiwi was leading the race for a brief while, but once the fake votes were removed it dropped down the leaderboard. In New Zealand, bird of the year elections can get heated, with endorsements coming in from all quarters. Hihi bird An adult toy store backed its candidature because the Hihi bird takes more than one partner. Also read: Priyanca Radhakrishnan becomes New Zealand's first-ever Indian-origin minister: Report Bird of the year elections have always been scandalous. In 2015, two teenagers tried to rig the vote in favour of the Kokako bird. Again in 2018, a single person tried to vote more than 300 times. The little-spotted Kiwi is a flagship of New Zealand. It stands for the national values of democracy, fairness and equality.

Voter fraud in New Zealand's 'Bird of the Year' election causes furore

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