The arrival of the chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) in ancient Greece during the Archaic period is often presented as an established fact. Given that the chicken was referred to as ‘the Persian... Show moreThe arrival of the chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) in ancient Greece during the Archaic period is often presented as an established fact. Given that the chicken was referred to as ‘the Persian Bird', and because the bird only appears in Greek written sources from the 6th century bc onwards, there seemed to be good grounds to do so. Over the years, however, osteological remains have been found in much earlier contexts, and although recent studies have now cast some doubt on the reliability of this evidence, various early depictions of and references to the bird strongly suggest that the chicken was already known at a much earlier date. By surveying all the available evidence, including faunal remains, iconography, and written sources, this paper challenges the traditional date of the chicken's introduction in Greece and instead argues that the bird was known in the Aegean at least as early as the Middle Bronze Age. Show less
Primordial germ cells (PGCs) are the progenitors of the gametes, responsible for transmitting genetic information from generation to generation. Although there is a long history of gamete biology... Show morePrimordial germ cells (PGCs) are the progenitors of the gametes, responsible for transmitting genetic information from generation to generation. Although there is a long history of gamete biology research, there is still a lot to be learned about many of the mechanisms underlying germ cell development. This dissertation describes and discusses the dynamics of PGCs in the chicken, with a focus on their migration to the gonads and meiosis that takes place when PGCs are already settled there. We also discussed the advantages of using the avian model in epithelial ovarian cancer research. Moreover, we revisited an often overlooked model for amniogenesis in which the proamnion plays a crucial role. Show less
