Biological mechanism for growing massive animal weapons, ornaments discovered
Thursday, July 26, 2012 - 15:01
in Biology & Nature
In the animal kingdom, huge weapons such as elk antlers or ornaments like peacock feathers are sexy. Their extreme size attracts potential mates and warns away lesser rivals. Now scientists have discovered a developmental mechanism they think may be responsible for the excessive growth of threatening horns or come-hither tail feathers.