Parker Andrew R, McKenzie David R
Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PS, UK.
Proc Biol Sci. 2003 Nov 7;270 Suppl 2(Suppl 2):S151-3. doi: 10.1098/rsbl.2003.0055.
Multilayer reflectors cause structural, 'metallic' colours in a diversity of animals today, yet are unknown in extinct species. We identify a multilayer reflector, causing structural colour, in a 50-million-year-old beetle from Messel, Germany. It is proposed that the original material of this reflector has been preserved, although this is not a precondition for determining original colours from ancient multilayer reflectors. Therefore, the potential exists to reveal the original colours of other (particularly arthropod) extinct species.
多层反射器如今在多种动物身上产生结构上的“金属”色,但在已灭绝物种中却不为人知。我们在一只来自德国梅塞尔、距今5000万年的甲虫身上识别出了一个产生结构色的多层反射器。有人提出,这个反射器的原始材料得以保存,不过这并非从古代多层反射器确定原始颜色的先决条件。因此,有可能揭示其他(尤其是节肢动物)已灭绝物种的原始颜色。