With the help of technology and breakthroughs in the thought process about the evolution of dinosaurs, paleontologists have been able to quite accurately describe the appearance and behavior of these creatures, even fixing them to a specific color. As discussed in class and further explained in Teded's video shown in class, feather-printed dinosaur fossils contain hollow nanostructures called melanosomes that can be detected with a powerful microscope. These leave decomposed minerals that are consistent with coloring pigments such as melanin and carotenoids. From these results, paleontologists are able to accurately predict the pigmentation of a range of dinosaurs. But even more than that, paleontologists have created a framework for determining what makes a dinosaur a dinosaur. The answers and resounding conclusions for specific identification are found in the evolutionary phylogenetic tree. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay There are general understandings and certain narrative cues that paleontologists use to determine whether a fossil belongs to a dinosaur or one that belongs to other creatures, such as amphibians. These traits have changed dramatically over time, but what remains constant across the archaeological discipline is the way the hip bone is structured. According to California Berkely's Dinosauria Morphology page, it states that “the fourth and fifth digits of the hand are reduced; foot reduced to three main toes; three or more vertebrae that make up the sacrum (region of the spine that attaches to the pelvis); and an open hip socket" are all considered derived characteristics shared by all dinosaurs. The very first creatures possessed these traits and passed them on to their ancestors, as can be seen in their well-documented phylogenetic tree. A more detailed analysis of the hipbone differentiated dinosaurs into two larger groups, saurischians and ornithischians. These groups are used to distinguish between “lizard-like” and “bird-like” construction, respectively upright posture, meaning that their hind legs were positioned directly under the body and allowed us to better understand their movements. Various discoveries of dinosaur fossils, mainly across mainland China, have sparked a paradigm shift in the way which paleontologists interpreted the physical structure and appearance of dinosaurs On numerous occasions, dinosaur fossil beds have indicated that feather-like bristles most likely covered therapods' bodies, even though they could not necessarily fly. The actual practical importance of feathers from an evolutionary point of view is a matter of debate, especially for dinosaurs such as T. Rex. However, it provides insight into how birds have a phylogenetic relationship with dinosaurs. Those earlier discoveries helped pioneer this new way of thinking that led to further examinations of dinosaur bones. As described in a class lecture by Dr. Fox, and supported in Stephen Bodio's article, if examined carefully you will see indentations in the bone structure where the feathers would have attached and anchored to the theropod bones. This allowed paleontologists to confirm that dinosaurs likely had feathers even though fossil deposits do not indicate feathers specifically. Feathers are made of a protein, keratin, which is easily broken down, often eaten, and ultimately difficult to preserve over millennia. This is why most deposits and.