Feather Barbule with Villi
This shows the villi characteristic of many songbirds. This barbule was found on an environmental tapelift. The villi are on the base cells of the barbule. Note that there are multiple villi on the barbule.
Transmitted Off Circular Polarized Light Illumination
Click here for more information about the Varied Thrush.
Definition/Function:
KINGDOM: Animalia PHYLUM: Chordata CLASS: Aves ORDER: Passeriformes FAMILILY: GENUS: SPECIES:
Significance in the Environment:
Characteristic Features:
The base cell of the barbule contains villi, characteristic of many songbirds. Villi are often seen on the base cell of barbules from hummingbirds, songbirds, some shorebirds, and woodpeckers. Pigment is concentrated in the nodes but in many species extends down the barbule from the node and may extend the full distance between nodes. The expanded nodes are triangular to spined and begin near the base of the barbule. The distal nodes tend to be more triangular.Associated Particles:
References:
Dove, Carla J. and Sandra L. Koch, "Microscopy of feathers: a practical guide for forensic feather identification", THE MICROSCOPE, vol. 59, no. 2, pp. 51-71, 2011Click here for more information about the Varied Thrush.
