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Functional Surfaces in Biology pp 163–186Cite as

Molding and Carving Cell Surfaces: The Joke of a Fold and the Origin and Evolution of Feathers

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Abstract

Cornification of cells in the epidermis of amniotes is different from that of derivatives such as scales, feathers, hairs, horns, nails, claws etc. (Maderson, 1985; Wu et al., 2004). Eventually epidermal layers detach (shedding or molting) from the remaining epidermis. Molting occurs along intra epidermal regions made by cells with different types of keratinization, and this interface often produces microornamentation of variable shapes.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Evolutionary Experimental Biology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy

    Lorenzo Alibardi

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  1. Lorenzo Alibardi
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Correspondence to Lorenzo Alibardi .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Zoological Institute University of Kiel, Am Botanischen Garten 1–9, D-24098, Kiel, Germany

    Stanislav N. Gorb

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Alibardi, L. (2009). Molding and Carving Cell Surfaces: The Joke of a Fold and the Origin and Evolution of Feathers. In: Gorb, S.N. (eds) Functional Surfaces in Biology. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-6697-9_10

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