Mighty Mouse study: a 3 million-year-old "Mighty Mouse" fossil with red fur, determined by researchers

Researchers studying fossils of a missing mouse aged 3 million years ago proceeded to what they called a "major scientific breakthrough" to determine the fur's color. ;animal. The international team, led by researchers from the University of Manchester, discovered for the first time chemical traces of red pigment in a fossil.

The researchers detected the red pigmentation in the fossils of Apodemus atavus, an extinct species akin to the field mouse that exists on Earth today. The team dubbed the "Mighty Mouse" fossil for both its impressive potential and "because the X-ray images were just staggering," co-author Roy Wogelius told CBS News. email.

The researchers noted that color plays an important role in evolution. The X-rays of the fossils allowed them to discover pheomelanin, the chemical residue of the red animal pigment – something that had never been done before. The study was published Tuesday in the journal Nature Communications.

"It was a painstaking effort between physics, paleontology, organic chemistry and geochemistry," Wogelius said in a press release. "By working as a team, we were able for the first time to discover chemical traces of red pigment in fossil animal material."

"We now understand what to look for in the future and hope that these results will allow us to strengthen our confidence in the rebuilding of extinct animals and thus add another dimension to it. "study of evolution," said Wogelius.

The same team was able to discover a black pigment in fossils in a previous study 10 years ago. However, the red pigment is revealed much harder to detect. The color, characteristic of animals like foxes, is less stable over time.

The mouse they studied, Apodemus atavus, It measured about 7 inches long and traveled German fields millions of years ago, according to a press release.

After using the mouse's chemical properties to determine the color of his fur, scientists described the appearance of the creature in a new artist mockup.