Reptile scales share evolutionary origin with hair, feathers
Skin bumps on lizards, crocodiles, snakes resolve confusing debate
IMPORTANT SPOTS Tiny bumps (blue dots) on the skin of mammals, birds and reptiles point to shared ancestral structure of hair, feathers and scales. Mouse (far left), snake, chicken and Nile crocodile embryos shown.
N. Di-Poï, M. Milinkovitch, A. Tzika/UNIGE 2016
Hair, scales and feathers arose from one ancestral structure, a new study finds.