Study Reveals Gene's Role in Feather Evolution from Dinosaurs to Birds

Researchers from the University of Geneva recreated primitive proto-feather structures in chicken embryos, highlighting the robustness of the genetic network behind feather development.

Feathers evolved from simple proto-feathers found in certain dinosaurs around 200 million years ago, with possible earlier origins in a common ancestor of dinosaurs and pterosaurs 240 million years ago.
The Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) molecular signaling pathway was identified as critical to feather development and evolutionary diversification.
Blocking the Shh pathway in chicken embryos temporarily recreated unbranched proto-feather-like structures, resembling those seen in early dinosaur evolution.
Despite initial disruptions, feather formation in embryos partially recovered due to the robustness of the genetic network, ultimately resulting in normal plumage.
The findings, published in PLOS Biology, provide new insights into how genetic interactions evolve to enable the emergence and diversification of complex traits like feathers.

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