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5 answer(s)

Reply	Norman says: I have wondered this too. Somehow the cells implement a rastering algorithm, synchronised with other cells. Could a cellular automaton perhaps be designed to produce such a pattern?  (no votes) Tags: unanswered, animals, plants.
	posted on 2008-10-02 08:30:00 | Report abuse

Reply	adrian ashdown says: I learned about this exact phenomena during my university days whilst studying Pennaology. Guineafowl belong to a select few sub-species of birds whose feathers contain small amounts of inert gases such as argon, krypton, xenon and helium. The noted fluffiness (for lack of a better word) of the guineafowl’s feathers causes a build up of static electricity. The interesting property of this build up is that it is constant in that it is actually possible to accurately tell the age of the bird by measuring the voltage across any two points in its feathers. The static build up causes the inert gases in the feathers to glow in a similar way that say a neon sign might glow. The glow itself produces the colours and although faint, if you were to stand in a completely blacked out room holding a guineafowl you would be able to detect a very slight glow.  (no votes) Tags: unanswered, animals, plants.
	posted on 2008-10-03 03:25:00 | Report abuse

Reply	Jon Webb says: Alan Turing studied this phenomenon towards the end of his life, after his Enigma days. The same sort of pattern formation is responsible for embryo development. Basically there is a mechanism driven by interaction between surrounding cells, gradients of signaling molecules, and cell genetics which can produce patterns of cell behavior. They are often described using partial differential equations.  (no votes) Tags: weather, unanswered, animals, planet earth.
	posted on 2008-10-07 16:18:00 | Report abuse

Reply	Andrew. says: It's interesting but not quite as big a problem as it might be. The pattern of spots doesn't match precisely across separate feathers, and the nature of the feathers and spots is such that the (misaligned) spots underneath are partially hidden by the top layers of feathers, so we imagine more precise alignment than exists. There are good photos on Wikipedia in which the spots on lower layers can be seen.  (no votes) Tags: unanswered, animals, plants.
	posted on 2008-10-09 02:57:00 | Report abuse

Reply	Bela de Lune1 says: This one is easy. The fowl itself has nothing to do with the patterns or colors of its feathers.These are painted on by the goddessFowlettavishnuwold. She is responsible for all colors on fowl and conceived of the pink flamingo in 1137.  (no votes) Tags: unanswered, animals, planet earth.
	posted on 2008-11-07 08:42:00 | Report abuse