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Canadian Scientists Use Drones and Lichens to Discover Dinosaur Fossils

12/3/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Scientists in Canada use drones and lichens to locate dinosaur fossils more efficiently, according to a Current Biology study.
Researchers found Rusavskia elegans and Xanthomendoza trachyphylla thrive on exposed bones and signal paleontologists.
The method enables aerial surveys of difficult terrain.
Dr. Caleb Brown notes orange lichens often catch the eye before the bones.
The study suggests the technique could be applied globally, advancing paleontological fieldwork.

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Story summary

Scientists in Canada use drones and lichens to locate dinosaur fossils more efficiently, according to a Current Biology study.
Researchers found Rusavskia elegans and Xanthomendoza trachyphylla thrive on exposed bones and signal paleontologists.
The method enables aerial surveys of difficult terrain.
Dr. Caleb Brown notes orange lichens often catch the eye before the bones.
The study suggests the technique could be applied globally, advancing paleontological fieldwork.