China scientists reveal uniform dark fur colour in early mammal ancestors for the first time

A groundbreaking study has uncovered the fur colour of early mammal ancestors for the first time, revealing that mammaliaforms from the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods exhibited a uniform dark coloration. This is reported by Global Times, a partner of TV BRICS.

The research team analysed six exceptionally preserved fossils, including Megaconus mammaliaformis, one of the earliest known hairy mammals, and Arboroharamiya fuscus, a newly identified gliding species. Using advanced imaging techniques such as microspectrophotometry and high-powered electron microscopy, the scientists examined fossilised melanosomes and compared them with data from 116 modern mammals.

Their findings indicate that early mammals displayed strikingly uniform melanosome shapes, predicted to produce dark fur. Unlike modern mammals, which exhibit a wide variety of colours and patterns for camouflage, thermoregulation, and communication, these ancient creatures lacked countershading, sexual dichromatism, or distinctive markings.

The study also suggests that mammalian colour diversity only emerged after the mass extinction event that wiped out non-avian dinosaurs at the end of the Cretaceous period.

As mammals diversified and occupied diurnal ecological niches, natural selection drove the evolution of vibrant fur colours and complex patterns seen in species today, from the bright orange of tamarins to the bold black-and-white stripes of zebras.

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