Dinosaur tail trapped in amber offers insights into feather evolution

Fragment complete with fossilised bones and traces of muscles, ligaments and mummified-looking skin dates from around 99 million years ago

A length of fluffy plumage discovered within a piece of amber has been identified as part of a dinosaur tail, offering new insights into the evolution of feathers.

Around 3.7cm long, with chestnut-coloured feathers on the top and pale feathers underneath, the tail was found complete with fossilised bones as well as traces of muscles, ligaments and mummified-looking skin.