Selective biodegradation of keratin matrix in feather rachis reveals classic bioengineering

by Theagarten Lingham-Soliar, Richard H. C. Bonser, and James Wesley-Smith

Proceedings BVolume 277(1685):1161-1168

April 22, 2010

©2010 by The Royal Society

SEM of fibres (syncitial barbules) in the cortex of feather rachis of Gallus gallus exposed after fungal biodegradation of matrix (resin embedded and etched).

Theagarten Lingham-Soliar et al. Proc. R. Soc. B 2010;277:1161-1168

©2010 by The Royal Society

SEM of feather rachidial (cortex) fibres (syncitial barbules).

Theagarten Lingham-Soliar et al. Proc. R. Soc. B 2010;277:1161-1168

©2010 by The Royal Society

SEM of biodegraded feather rachis of Gallus gallus (resin embedded and etched).

Theagarten Lingham-Soliar et al. Proc. R. Soc. B 2010;277:1161-1168

©2010 by The Royal Society

SEM of fibres (syncitial barbules).

Theagarten Lingham-Soliar et al. Proc. R. Soc. B 2010;277:1161-1168

©2010 by The Royal Society

A schematic view of the three major structural components of the feather rachis.

Theagarten Lingham-Soliar et al. Proc. R. Soc. B 2010;277:1161-1168

©2010 by The Royal Society