45 citations
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October 2015 in “BMC Genomics” Chicken feather growth involves specific genes and shares similarities with hair development.
38 citations
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November 2018 in “Scientific Reports” Bird scales evolved from feathers, not reptile scales.
22 citations
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December 2016 in “PloS one” A specific protein in chicken embryos links early skin layers to feather development.
13 citations
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December 2018 in “Development, Growth & Differentiation” Sex hormones, especially estradiol, can change chicken feather shapes and colors.
36 citations
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November 2019 in “Molecular biology and evolution” Cysteine-rich keratins evolved independently in mammals, reptiles, and birds for hard skin structures like hair, claws, and feathers.