| development and evolution of avian racket plumes: fine structure and serial homology of the wire. | avian racket plumes, characterized by a vaned paddle-shaped tip borne on a wirelike segment, are among the most spectacular pennaceous contour feathers. this is the first detailed description of the fine structure of the wirelike segment in several racket plumes that acquire their shape exclusively during development, for the parrot prioniturus discurus, the hummingbirds ocreatus underwoodii and loddigesia mirabilis, the kingfisher tanysiptera carolinae, and the bird of paradise parotia carolae. ... | 1987 | 29907008 |