Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Yang TR
PROVIDER: S-EPMC6037156 | biostudies-literature | 2018
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
PeerJ 20180706
The cuticle layer consisting mainly of lipids and hydroxyapatite (HAp) atop the mineralized avian eggshell is a protective structure that prevents the egg from dehydration and microbial invasions. Previous ornithological studies have revealed that the cuticle layer is also involved in modulating the reflectance of eggshells in addition to pigments (protoporphyrin and biliverdin). Thus, the cuticle layer represents a crucial trait that delivers ecological signals. While present in most modern bir ...[more]