Experimental Taphonomy Data on Keratin Fossilization Potential

Results from microbial decay and maturation experiments testing the stability of keratin through diagenesis. The residues were analyzed using pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and compared to fossil and fresh melanin samples. The study was conducted by Evan T. Saitta and last updated in June 2020.

Use Cases

• Compare pyrolysis compounds from highly matured feathers (200–250°C/250 bars/24 h) to those from less degraded keratins to study peptide bond hydrolysis.
• Analyze pyrograms to assess if melanization or keratin secondary structure (e.g., ⍺- vs β-keratin) produces distinct chemical signatures.
• Evaluate the presence or absence of specific compounds like amides, succinimide, and piperazines in fossil fur and feather samples versus experimental keratin residues.
• Use Py-GC-MS data to model the diagenetic leaching potential of keratin-derived fluids under elevated temperature conditions.

Strengths

• Data is derived from controlled experimental taphonomy, including microbial decay and maturation under specific conditions (200–250°C/250 bars/24 h).
• Analytical results from pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry provide detailed chemical profiles.
• Includes comparative analysis with unpublished feather and hair fossils and published melanin data.
• Released under a permissive CC0 1.0 public domain license.

Limitations

• The dataset size, row count, column structure, and file formats are unspecified.
• Sample data is unavailable, limiting immediate inspection of data granularity and format.
• Focus is on experimental and fossil comparison, not a large-scale survey of natural fossil occurrences.

Provenance

Source

Dryad digital repository.

Collection Method

Experimental taphonomy using microbial decay and maturation, with residue analysis via pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py-GC-MS).

Time Range

Experimental timeframe not specified; data reflects conditions tested.

Freshness

Last updated on 2020-06-24.

Geography

Not specified; data is from laboratory experiments.