The giant penguin with strange colors

Over the past few years, paleontologists have learned that under high magnification they can find remnants in fossils of what are called melanosomes. A melanosome is an organelle within animal cells responsible for producing the protein melanin, which is what gives mammal hair its color and what gives bird (and other dinosaur) feathers their color.

Now finding a melanosome is extraordinary but how in the world do you know what color it produces? The shape of a melanosome is indicative of the color it produces. So, finding feathers and viewing the melanosomes allowed researchers to discover that the colors of Inkayacu were unlike modern penguins. Instead of a penguin tuxedo characteristic of those species alive today, Inkayacu had feathers that were mostly gray and reddish-brown.

Not only that, but Inkayacu's feather melanosomes were more similar to other living birds than today's penguins. Inkayacu and the emperor penguin share a common ancestor but modern penguins evolved giant, broad grape-cluster melanosomes that made their feathers more resistant to wear. This was possibly due to the demands of having an aquatic habit or even as the penguins evolved different coloration to escape new prey.

One thing's for certain, though. Inkayacu is one weird penguin.

Nick
Garland

Founder and Editor

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