Study reports heme traces and cell-like structures in 115-million-year-old dinosaur bone

Researchers report finding heme and structures resembling red blood cells in an Aratasaurus fossil from Brazil. Experts agree the molecular traces merit attention, but disagree over whether the structures are blood cells; further work is planned on how microbial mats may preserve blood.

• An international team led by Kliti Grice found heme traces and cell-like structures in hind-limb bone from an Aratasaurus that lived in what is now Brazil about 115 million years ago.· 2 sources
• The researchers used imaging and chemical tests; the centre report says the structures were in vascular canals and that tests for ancient DNA were negative.· 2 sources
• Whether the structures are red blood cells remains disputed. Mary Schweitzer questioned that identification, while Mauricio Barbi said the evidence was consistent with red blood cells but still required interpretation.· 2 sources
• Researchers suggest mineralisation and microbial mats may have helped preserve material in the fossil; Curtin University researchers are testing whether Shark Bay microbial mats can mineralise human blood.· 2 sources