Taphonomic analysis of the exceptional preservation of early bird feathers during the early Cretaceous period in Northeast China

Fossil soft tissues contain important and irreplaceable information on life evolution, the comprehensive understanding of nature Mesozoic ecosystems. Compared to other fossil tissues, Jehol Biota feathers are more commonly reported. However, taphonomic analysis these is lacking. Here, five specimens early bird Sapeornis chaoyangensis with differently preserved were selected. One specimen, STM 15-36, has a complete set extraordinarily feathers. An interesting consequence was revealed by their host sediment Zr/Rb that specimen 15-36 possesses coarsest grain size but best-preserved More geochemical analyses sediments, including organic carbon isotopes major elements, conducted restore paleoenvironment during those ’ burial. The result mainly shows paleoclimate when buried warmer wetter than four; pure terrestrial-derived input, while others aquatic algae. In addition, redox-sensitive trace elements indicates lake bottom-water anoxic restricted, being oxygen-depleted four. Therefore, transportation burial preliminarily inferred as: carcass transported rapidly into short strong rain flush, then quickly accompanying terrestrial debris; subsequent restricted environment inhibited bioturbation hydrodynamic disturbance its allowing whole be delicately preserved. This finding provides valuable case study taphonomy tissues’ exceptional preservation in Biota.