Feather Nanostructure Diagram (IMAGE)
Caption
There are five primary types (bottom row) of pigment-filled sacks, called melanosomes, within the nanostructure (left)` of iridescent feathers. Thick rods are found in birds with weak iridescent coloring such as in the brown-headed cowbird (top row, left), while all other types produce brilliant iridescence. The researchers found that the four melanosome types linked to brilliant iridescence have developed distinct melanin layers (second row) of just the right thickness to greatly increase the range of color different bird species can display. Microscope images adapted from Durrer (1977).
Credit
(Image by Klara Nordén, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology)
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License
CC BY