On the Diversification of Fur, Feathers, and Scales, the Mystery Remains

An article in the Washington Post,"Scientists solve the mystery of where feathers, fur and scales come from," describes recent work reported in Science Advances that solves a longstanding puzzle regarding the first stages in the development of reptile scales.

It has been known for many years that mammals' hairs and birds' feathers both develop from small accumulations of cells in the skin, scattered all over the body, known as placodes. One of the key genes involved in initiating their deve...