Fossil frogs yield 'soft tissues' (BBC)

[eppur_se_muova]

By Helen Briggs
Science reporter, BBC News

Scientists have extracted marrow from the bones of frogs and salamanders that died 10 million years ago in the muddy swamps of north-eastern Spain.

The first fossilised bone marrow known to science provides a rare insight into the make-up of prehistoric animals.

It is preserved in remarkable detail; usually only hard tissue such as bone survives in the fossil record.

The soft tissue may yield traces of protein and DNA, researchers report in the journal Geology.
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The ancient bone marrow was preserved in 3D, retaining the original texture and red and yellow colour of haematopoietic and fatty marrow.
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more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/5214798.stm

[benburch]

1. WOW!

That is impressive.

[lindisfarne]

2. Maybe we'll get ancient DNA before all of today's frogs are extinct.n/t