30-6 The Fate of Scales After Decomposition: Insights into Reptile Skin Taphonomy

Session: Laws of the Grave: Advances in Taphonomy Across the Paleontologic Record (Posters)

Presenting Author:

Author:

Abstract:

Taphonomy is the study of the process of fossilization. During fossilization, mineralized tissues such as bones can undergo a variety of different physical and chemical changes, such as permineralization or compaction. However, the preservation of soft, labile tissues like skin remains poorly understood, despite the occasional occurrence of these tissues in exceptionally preserved fossils. Fossilized reptile skin has been reported to display a range of preservation styles, from detailed impressions of scales to some with no noticeable anatomical features. We aim to determine how reptilian skin is preserved and whether integumentary features such as scales are retained or lost during decay and diagenesis. We hypothesize that anoxic conditions would favor the preservation of scales; however, further experimentation is required to test this hypothesis.  For our study, shed snake skin was exposed to simulated subaqueous anoxic and oxic conditions in glass jars. Skin samples were either buried in marine mud, submersed in seawater, or left unburied in plain seawater.  These were sampled within 1 week, 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year intervals, where the snake skins will be extracted and analyzed for any changes caused by decomposition. Dissolved oxygen levels and skin weight were measured, and skins were photographed with a handheld camera and microscopic imaging. Preliminary results show slower decomposition in anoxic conditions, supported by weight retention and intact skin, while oxic conditions appear to have degraded the skin. We expect that further results will continue to favor and support our hypothesis of the preservation of scales in anoxic conditions.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 57, No. 6, 2025

doi: 10.1130/abs/2025AM-9511

© Copyright 2025 The Geological Society of America (GSA), all rights reserved.