“Dinosaur red blood cells recovered from 115-million-year-old fossil”

Key points

• Researchers isolated the oldest-ever dinosaur red blood cells from Aratasaurus museunacionali hind-limb.
• The fossil is 115 million years old and from Brazil, found in 2008.
• Examining with acid etching revealed abundant red blood cells; one slide held 20 cells.
• Haem B detected via liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry confirms blood-cell type.
• Findings suggest cells may have swollen during fossilisation or indicate larger-than-expected species.