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Figure 3 | BMC Evolutionary Biology

Figure 3

From: Convergent evolution of cysteine-rich proteins in feathers and hair

Figure 3

Embryonic epidermal stratification and expression of EDCRP are maintained in feather follicles. (A) The skin layers during embryonic development and within a feather follicle are shown schematically. The topology of the layers is maintained. The permanent structures of feathers are made by cells that correspond to the embryonic subperiderm whereas other cells of the feather follicle degenerate during the feather morphogenesis process. The development of feathers within the feather follicle is repeated in the adult animal. Note that the cross-section through the tubular feather follicle shows feather elements (red squares) that are connected by barbs (indicated by light red color) located outside of the plane of section. B) Three-dimensional depiction of the topology of epithelial layers in the feather follicle. The colors show equivalence of the feather follicle layers to the embryonic skin layers in panel A.

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