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2008-02-26 18:49:24
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It's a fact that the DNA sequence for the scales on the chicken's leg and the DNA sequence which encodes a feather are basically identical (just a few base pair differences). In fact, scales and feathers are so close that you will often find a feather where a scale should be on a chicken leg (because of only a small point mutation).
Bottom line: scales and feathers are almost genetically identical, so it wasn't a great evolutionary leap.
[Side note: I work in genetics all day long, and typically can't stand to talk about science once I get home. But I'm psyched about the new forum category, so I thought I'd throw a post on..... 123facts is once again moving up in the world!  ]
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