Until recently, paleontologists have only been able to make assumptions about the colors of the dinosaurs. A team, led by Fucheng Zhang of China's Institute for Vertebrate Paleontology recently announced discovery of fossilized melanosomes, or pigment organelles in the feathers and "protofeathers" of fossil birds and dinosaurs from northeastern China. This would settle the debate over whether or not dinosaur fossils actually represented protofeathers, rather than decayed dermal collagen fibers as some have claimed. This discovery could reconstruct color patterns on dinosaur fossils exhibiting protofeathers. Stripes on the tail of Sinosauropteryx can be inferred to have been chestnut to reddish-brown. More can be found at the link below.

Recent news keeps up the hope for Jurassic Park 4. Joe Johnston confirmed to BoxOffice.com that a fourth film will happen. He also said that it could be the start of a new trilogy of films. He is quoted saying, "There is going to be a Jurassic Park IV. And it's going to be unlike anything you've seen." He also says that "it's essentially the beginning of the second Jurassic Park trilogy." No information on the script or who might direct the movie, but this news is promising for those begging for another film.

A new year and new content. We have updated the Other Games page to include Jurassic: The Hunted and Turok. A guide for Turok is currently in the making and should be released sometime in March. The forum has been dead lately, but the addition of the Primordial Predators Role Play will hopefully spark some interest. We look forward to any news of the always possible Jurassic Park 4 in 2010. Please check back for updates.

There isn't much excitement in the Jurassic Park world these days. Jurassic Park 4 is now unlikely, and fans mourn the loss of Michael Crichton who died recently from cancer. JPT will receive some updates as I have more free time now so check back soon. If you have suggestions or material of yours you want included on the site do so on our forum.

Tonight is the premier of Jurassic Fight Club, a new program to the History Channel depicting the violent battles that the dinosaurs faced on daily basis. Several top paleontologists were consultants for this program to provide current information to give audiences a realistic prehistoric battle ground. The show premieres at 9 PM eastern/8 PM central time in the United States.

I'm sad to report the death of Stan Winston who died on Sunday at the age of 62 from multiple myeloma. Winston worked heavily in all the Jurassic Park films to create the fantastic live action animatronic dinosaurs seen in the films. He's truly a legend in film making and will be greatly missed by all who knew him and his work.