Dinosaur researcher involved in dispute over dinosaur fossil findings
Glimpse into the Unusual World of a Dino-Skin Specialist
Get ready to delve into the offbeat tale of one of science's peculiar occupations. Phil Bell from the University of New England is not your average researcher; he's a dino-skin specialist - yes, you read that correctly. Unbelievably, he's the only one in Australia with this expertise, and he claims the title of "palaeodermatologist."
Curiosity sparked Bell's journey into this unique field during a museum visit in Canada, where he discovered a treasure trove of dinosaur skin discarded and untouched for a century. He was allured by its rarity and decided there and then to dedicate his career to the study of these ancient relics.
Although many link palaeontology with bones and fossils, Bell sees an allure in the delicate intricacies of dinosaur skin. Many dismiss skin as unimportant, attributing it to bones' appeal. However, Bell contends it's a fascinating subject that can reveal vital information about our prehistoric associates and their environment.
The common imagination leans towards feathered dinosaurs, an audacious and charismatic image of long-extinct creatures. It's an appealing vision, but it barely represents the majority of dinosaurs. According to Bell, only a small fraction of dinosaurs had feathers, with the majority sporting scaly skin. Despite this, the beauty of dinosaur skin lies in its complexity and the fascinating things it does in reaction to the environment.
In modern animals, skin plays a crucial role in adaptation to their surroundings. For example, a shark's tooth-like skin aids in streamlined swimming, suggesting another creature with similar skin might inhabit underwater environments. Likewise, human skin adapts in thickness and elasticity to accommodate various body parts' usage. A harder skin on fingertips could hint at a craftsman or musician.
Similarly, dinosaur skin can offer insights into how dinosaurs interacted with their climate and habitats. Bell's work on a mummified hadrosaur from Canada provided a clearer picture of the hadrosaur's appearance and its role in visual communication with fellow dinosaurs. Much of a dino-skin specialist's day is spent studying skin samples, teaching, and collaborating with colleagues on fieldwork in Canada and Australia.
Dinosaur skin research is challenging, due to skin's fragility and the dismissive attitude towards it. Skin is often lost or damaged before reaching Bell, who highlights how difficult it is to excavate and preserve dinosaur skin. Despite these hurdles, he's optimistic about the potential for new technologies to revolutionize the field and uncover more secrets of dinosaur skin.
A palaeodermatologist's work would contribute significantly to understanding the biology, evolution, and climate interactions of dinosaurs, shedding light on what life was like for these fascinating creatures.
Phil Bell's research on dinosaur skin, as a palaeodermatologist, extends the study of dinosaurs beyond bones and fossils to include medical-conditions, such as patterns and textures on their skin, that could reveal vital information about their lives and environments. The advancements in technology may potentially help in preserving and examining these delicate relics, thus deepening our comprehension of science's prehistoric associates.
