Creation Moment 9/25/2013 - Feather "mapping" mechanism

"Bird feathers are vastly different from flower petals, but another amazing “mapping” mechanism controls their development. Melanocyte progenitors are distributed as a horizontal ring in the proximal follicle, sending melanocytes vertically up into the epithelial cylinder which gradually emerges as feathers grow. Different pigment patterns form by modulating the presence, arrangement, or differentiation of melanocytes. A layer of peripheral pulp further regulates pigmentation via patterned agouti expression. Lifetime feather cyclic regeneration resets pigment patterns for physiological needs. Thus, stem cell niche topology allows complex pigment patterning via combinatorial co-option of simple regulatory mechanisms." CEH

Gavest thou the goodly wings unto the peacocks? Job 39:13
Watch below Flight: The Genius Of Birds
www.youtube.com/embed/46rE4BfWN_M