JOURNAL ARTICLE

This organism turns dino bones orange—making them easier to spot: Paleontologists use drones and brightly colored lichen to search for fossils in the Canadian Badlands.

  • Published In: Sciencemag.org, 2025. P. N.PAG 1 of 3

  • Database: Applied Science & Technology Source Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Jacobs, Phie 3 of 3

Abstract

The article focuses on the innovative use of bright orange lichens by paleontologists in Dinosaur Provincial Park, Alberta, to locate dinosaur fossils. Researchers have discovered that these lichens preferentially grow on exposed dinosaur bones, particularly those from herbivorous Ornithischian dinosaurs, due to the unique chemical properties of the fossilized bones. This growth creates distinctive spectral signatures that can be detected from drones equipped with specialized sensors, aiding in the search for fossils across the challenging terrain of the Canadian Badlands. The findings highlight the potential for using biological indicators in paleontological research. [Extracted from the article]

Additional Information

  • Source:Sciencemag.org. 2025/11, pN.PAG
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Social Sciences and Humanities
  • Publication Date:2025
  • Accession Number:189106567
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