Milinkovitch detailed that while conventional scales arise from genetic control during development, the unique scales on crocodiles’ heads form through a mechanical process related to skin growth rates.
The researchers explained that the skin on a crocodile's face grows faster than the tissues it attaches to, leading to folds that create irregular scale patterns.
They discovered that variations in the growth rates of skin and differing stiffness levels among layers contributed to the diverse head-scale patterns seen in crocodile species.
With specific experiments on Nile crocodile embryos, the team demonstrated how manipulating growth rates influenced head-scale patterns, emphasizing the mechanical principles at play.
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