临夏盆地晚中新世鸵鸟化石的特异保存

李志恒, 艾莉达, Thomas A. STIDHAM, 王敏, 邓涛

Exceptional preservation of an extinct ostrich from the Late Miocene Linxia Basin of China

LI Zhi-Heng, Alida M. BAILLEUL, Thomas A. STIDHAM, WANG Min, DENG Tao

Fig. 3 Photomicrographs of another demineralized fragment of Struthio cervical bone (IVPP V 25336) A. partially demineralized bone using EDTA in sterile conditions. The bone is translucent and bacterial colonies are clearly visible. B. fossilized remnants of original blood vessels (freed from the bone matrix after complete demineralization) which present the same morphological characteristics of extant ostrich blood vessels (Schweitzer et al., 2005, 2007). The vessel is hollow, translucent, and shows clear walls. C. same image as panel B shown in a slightly different focal depth to emphasize remnants of fossilized endothelial cell nuclei within the blood vessel walls. D. fragment of blood vessel with round brown microstructures that are consistent in location and morphology with fossilized blood content. E. fossilized intravascular content (potential blood breakdown products). F. fragment of blood vessel with internal content. G. close-up of endothelial cells in the thick blood vessel walls, and three distinct, circular to oval, brown structures that are most likely the fossilized remnants of original red blood cells This vessel is not complete, but a branching pattern is obvious Abbreviations: bc. bacterial colony; BV. fossilized remnant of original blood vessel; BVW. fossilized remnant of blood vessel walls; ec. fossilized remnants of endothelial cell nuclei; RBCs. fossilized remnants of original red blood cells