Additionally , rather than an artifact of preservation or decomposition , the presence of dark feathers along only the top of the body may also reflect the colour pattern in life , indicating that `` Sinosauropteryx prima '' was countershaded with dark colouration on its back and lighter colouration on its underside , with bands or stripes on the tail for camouflage .
The presence of dark feathers along only the top of the body may also reflect the colour pattern in life , indicating that `` Sinosauropteryx prima '' was countershaded with dark colour on its back and lighter colour on its underside , with bands or stripes on the tail for camouflage .