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Ferrer ES, Uribe F, Sanz JJ, Senar JC. Are plumage colour and song redundant ornaments in great tits ( Parus major)? It depends on the colour. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/blab063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
According to current theory, the development of different conspicuous ornaments may provide multiple, redundant or unreliable information. However, multiple visual and acoustic traits have not often been tested at the same time. In this study, we analyse whether black tie size, yellow breast colour indexes (chroma and hue) and song parameters (repertoire size, strophe length, maximum and minimum frequency) are inter-correlated in male great tits (Parus major). We found that males with larger black ties sang greater repertoires and had higher song frequencies, providing redundant information. However, song parameters did not correlate with hue and chroma of the yellow breast coloration, supporting the idea that they convey different units of information. Results therefore stress that since different plumaged patches can transmit very different units of information, bird song will correlate to plumage coloration traits depending on the patch and the colour considered, an aspect rarely taken into account in previous studies relating song to plumage colour traits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esperanza S Ferrer
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, National Museum of Natural Sciences (MNCN-CSIC), CalleJosé Gutiérrez Abascal 2, 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Francesc Uribe
- Evolutionary and Behavioural Ecology Unit, Museu de Ciències Naturals de Barcelona, P.Picasso s/n, Parc Ciutadella, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Juan José Sanz
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, National Museum of Natural Sciences (MNCN-CSIC), CalleJosé Gutiérrez Abascal 2, 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Joan Carles Senar
- Evolutionary and Behavioural Ecology Unit, Museu de Ciències Naturals de Barcelona, P.Picasso s/n, Parc Ciutadella, 08003 Barcelona, Spain
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2
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Salmón P, Watson H, Nord A, Isaksson C. Effects of the Urban Environment on Oxidative Stress in Early Life: Insights from a Cross-fostering Experiment. Integr Comp Biol 2019; 58:986-994. [PMID: 30052952 PMCID: PMC6204991 DOI: 10.1093/icb/icy099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
As urban areas expand rapidly worldwide, wildlife is exposed to a wide range of novel environmental stressors, such as increased air pollution and artificial light at night. Birds in highly polluted and/or urbanized habitats have been found to have increased antioxidant protection, which is likely important to avoid accumulation of oxidative damage, which can have negative fitness consequences. Yet, the current knowledge about the ontogeny of antioxidant protection in urban areas is limited; i.e., is the capacity to up-regulate the antioxidant defences already established during pre-natal development, or does it manifest itself during post-natal development? We cross-fostered great tit (Parus major) nestlings within and between urban and rural habitats, to determine if oxidative stress (measured as non-enzymatic total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and plasma lipid peroxidation) is affected by habitat of origin and/or by habitat of rearing. The results demonstrate that being reared in the urban environment triggers an increase in SOD (an intracellular, enzymatic antioxidant) independent of natal habitat. Oxidative damage increased with hatching date in urban-reared nestlings, but there was little seasonal change in rural-reared nestlings. Total antioxidant capacity was neither affected by habitat of rearing or habitat of origin, but we observed a decline with hatching date in both rearing habitats. Taken together, our results support the growing evidence that the urban environment induces a direct plastic adjustment in antioxidant protection, but that up-regulation is not sufficient to avoid increased oxidative damage in late-hatched broods. Future studies should explore the underlying causes for this effect in late-hatched broods and whether it has any negative long-term implications, both at the individual- and the population level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Salmón
- Section for Evolutionary Ecology, Department of Biology, Lund University, Lund, SE-223 62, Sweden.,Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK
| | - Hannah Watson
- Section for Evolutionary Ecology, Department of Biology, Lund University, Lund, SE-223 62, Sweden
| | - Andreas Nord
- Section for Evolutionary Ecology, Department of Biology, Lund University, Lund, SE-223 62, Sweden
| | - Caroline Isaksson
- Section for Evolutionary Ecology, Department of Biology, Lund University, Lund, SE-223 62, Sweden
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3
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Reinke BA, Erritouni Y, Calsbeek R. Maternal allocation of carotenoids to eggs in an Anolis lizard. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2018; 218:56-62. [PMID: 29410189 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2018.01.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2017] [Revised: 01/23/2018] [Accepted: 01/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The maternal allocation of carotenoids to eggs has been widely documented and manipulated. However, it is often assumed that the sole adaptive value of this allocation is to increase offspring fitness. Because carotenoids can be pro-oxidants or antioxidants depending on their concentrations and their chemical environment (i.e. presence of other antioxidants), dams may need to dispose of excess carotenoids upon depletion of other antioxidants to prevent oxidative damage. Additionally, the amount of carotenoids deposited in eggs may be dependent on male traits such as quality and coloration. We evaluated these two non-mutually exclusive hypotheses for carotenoid allocation to eggs and assessed paternal effects by supplementing male and female brown anole lizards, Anolis sagrei, with dietary carotenoids or with a combination of carotenoids and vitamin C. We found significant differences in the antioxidant capacities of fertilized and unfertilized eggs produced by female lizards, but the treatment did not affect the antioxidant capacity or carotenoid content of eggs. However, the carotenoid concentration of unfertilized eggs from carotenoid-supplemented females was significantly higher than eggs from the control group. Male coloration and body size did not affect the antioxidant capacity or carotenoid content of the eggs. Carotenoids may be allocated to unfertilized eggs to offset oxidative damage to the dam, with a neutral effect on offspring, rather than to solely provide antioxidant benefits to offspring as has been widely assumed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beth A Reinke
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dartmouth College, 78 College Street, Hanover, NH 03755, USA.
| | - Yasmeen Erritouni
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dartmouth College, 78 College Street, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
| | - Ryan Calsbeek
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dartmouth College, 78 College Street, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
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Biard C, Brischoux F, Meillère A, Michaud B, Nivière M, Ruault S, Vaugoyeau M, Angelier F. Growing in Cities: An Urban Penalty for Wild Birds? A Study of Phenotypic Differences between Urban and Rural Great Tit Chicks (Parus major). Front Ecol Evol 2017. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2017.00079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
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5
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McDiarmid CS, Friesen CR, Ballen C, Olsson M. Sexual coloration and sperm performance in the Australian painted dragon lizard,
Ctenophorus pictus. J Evol Biol 2017; 30:1303-1312. [DOI: 10.1111/jeb.13092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2017] [Accepted: 04/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- C. S. McDiarmid
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences University of Sydney Sydney NSW Australia
| | - C. R. Friesen
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences University of Sydney Sydney NSW Australia
| | - C. Ballen
- College of Biological Sciences University of Minnesota Minneapolis MN USA
| | - M. Olsson
- Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences Göteborg University Göteborg Sweden
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6
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Estramil N, Groothuis TGG, Eens M, de Vries B, Müller W. Coadaptation of offspring begging and parental provisioning: A role for prenatal maternal effects? Horm Behav 2017; 87:129-136. [PMID: 27838359 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2016.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2016] [Revised: 11/02/2016] [Accepted: 11/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Recent studies on birds have shown that offspring begging and parental provisioning covary at the phenotypic level, which is thought to reflect genetic correlations. However, prenatal maternal factors, like yolk testosterone, may also facilitate parent-offspring coadaptation via their effects on offspring begging and development. In fact, maternal effects are thought to adjust offspring phenotype to the environmental conditions they will experience after birth, which are in turn strongly dependent on the levels of parental provisioning. Using cross-fostering experiments in canaries, we tested the role of maternal effects on parent-offspring coadaptation from two different approaches. First, we analyzed whether females deposit yolk testosterone in relation to their own or their partner's prospective parental provisioning, measured as the rate of parental feeding to foster nestlings. Second, we investigated whether females deposit yolk testosterone in relation to costs they incurred when raising a previous brood, as this likely impinges on their capacity to provide parental care in the near future. However, from the results of both experiments we have no evidence that canary females deposit yolk testosterone in order to match offspring begging to the levels of care they and/or their partners provide. We therefore found no evidence that yolk testosterone facilitates parent-offspring coadaptation. In addition, our results suggest that the functional consequences of yolk testosterone deposition may relate to hatching asynchrony since it primarily varied with egg laying order.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Estramil
- Department of Biology-Ethology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium.
| | - Ton G G Groothuis
- Behavioural Biology, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Marcel Eens
- Department of Biology-Ethology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium.
| | - Bonnie de Vries
- Behavioural Biology, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands.
| | - Wendt Müller
- Department of Biology-Ethology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium.
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Commentary: Parental care and the proximate links between maternal effects and offspring fitness. Oecologia 2015; 177:1089-92. [DOI: 10.1007/s00442-015-3266-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2014] [Accepted: 02/06/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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8
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Estramil N, Eens M, Müller W. Female mate choice, differential allocation and parent–offspring covariation in canaries. BEHAVIOUR 2015. [DOI: 10.1163/1568539x-00003282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Parental care typically involves elaborate reciprocal within-family interactions, and traits such as parental provisioning and offspring begging should therefore coevolve. There is indeed mounting evidence for a phenotypic covariation, also in the canary (Serinus canaria), our model species. Such covariation may arise due to maternal effects, rendering this relationship particularly sensitive to environmental conditions. Here, we manipulated the social environment by pairing females with either their chosen or non-chosen male. Subsequently, all clutches were cross-fostered to separate pre- and postnatal effects. We found a positive covariation between offspring begging and parental provisioning, which was, however, unaffected by mate preferences, and we found no evidence for differential allocation. In addition, there was no effect of assortative mating, which is thought to reinforce parent–offspring covariation. The fact that parent–offspring covariation is consistently observed in canaries suggests that it is biologically relevant, but it requires further studies to elucidate its sensitivity to environmental variation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Estramil
- Department of Biology-Ethology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Marcel Eens
- Department of Biology-Ethology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Wendt Müller
- Department of Biology-Ethology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Antwerp, Belgium
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9
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Pagani-Núñez E, Uribe F, Hernández-Gómez S, Muñoz G, Senar JC. Habitat structure and prey composition generate contrasting effects on carotenoid-based coloration of great titParus majornestlings. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2014. [DOI: 10.1111/bij.12352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Emilio Pagani-Núñez
- Evolutionary Ecology Associate Research Unit (CSIC); Natural History Museum of Barcelona; Psg. Picasso s/n. 08003 Barcelona España (Spain)
| | - Francesc Uribe
- Evolutionary Ecology Associate Research Unit (CSIC); Natural History Museum of Barcelona; Psg. Picasso s/n. 08003 Barcelona España (Spain)
| | - Sergio Hernández-Gómez
- Evolutionary Ecology Associate Research Unit (CSIC); Natural History Museum of Barcelona; Psg. Picasso s/n. 08003 Barcelona España (Spain)
| | - Guillermo Muñoz
- Evolutionary Ecology Associate Research Unit (CSIC); Natural History Museum of Barcelona; Psg. Picasso s/n. 08003 Barcelona España (Spain)
| | - Juan Carlos Senar
- Evolutionary Ecology Associate Research Unit (CSIC); Natural History Museum of Barcelona; Psg. Picasso s/n. 08003 Barcelona España (Spain)
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10
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11
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Matrková J, Remeš V. Environmental and genetic effects on pigment-based vs. structural component of yellow feather colouration. PLoS One 2012; 7:e36640. [PMID: 22590581 PMCID: PMC3349711 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0036640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2011] [Accepted: 04/04/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Carotenoid plumage is of widespread use in bird communication. Carotenoid-based feather colouration has recently been shown to be dependent on both pigment concentration and feather structure. If these two components are determined differently, one plumage patch may potentially convey different aspects of individual quality. Methodology/Principal Findings We evaluated the effects of genetic and environmental factors on carotenoid-based yellow breast colouration of Great Tit (Parus major) nestlings. By partial cross-fostering, we separated the genetic and pre-natal vs. post-natal parental effects on both the structural and the pigment-based component of carotenoid-based plumage colouration. We also simultaneously manipulated the post-hatching environment by brood size manipulation. The structural component of nestling colouration reflected features of female colouration. On the other hand, the pigment-based component was more affected by rearing conditions presumably representing food quality. While the structural component was related to both origin- and environment-related factors, the pigment-based component seemed to be environment-dependent only. These results support the notion that pigment-based and structural components of feather colouration are determined differently. Conclusions/Significance Chromatic and achromatic components of carotenoid-based feather colouration reflected different aspects of individual quality and history, and thus may potentially form a multicomponent signal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Matrková
- Department of Zoology and Laboratory of Ornithology, Palacký University, Olomouc, Czech Republic.
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12
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Evans SR, Sheldon BC. Quantitative genetics of a carotenoid-based color: heritability and persistent natal environmental effects in the great tit. Am Nat 2012; 179:79-94. [PMID: 22173462 DOI: 10.1086/663198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
The information content of signals such as animal coloration depends on the extent to which variation reflects underlying biological processes. Although animal coloration has received considerable attention, little work has addressed the quantitative genetics of color variation in natural populations. We investigated the quantitative genetics of a carotenoid-based color patch, the ventral plumage of mature great tits (Parus major), in a wild population. Carotenoid-based colors are often suggested to reflect environmental variation in carotenoid availability, but numerous mechanisms could also lead to genetic variation in coloration. Analyses of individuals of known origin showed that, although plumage chromaticity (i.e., color) was moderately heritable, there was no significant heritability to achromaticity (i.e., brightness). We detected multiple long-lasting effects of natal environment, with hatching date and brood size both negatively related to plumage chromaticity at maturity. Our reflectance measures contrasted in their spatiotemporal sensitivity, with plumage chromaticity exhibiting significant spatial variation and achromatic variation exhibiting marked annual variation. Hence, color variation in this species reflects both genetic and environmental influences on different scales. Our analyses demonstrate the context dependence of components of color variation and suggest that color patches may convey multiple aspects of individual state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon R Evans
- Edward Grey Institute, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PS, United Kingdom.
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13
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GARCÍA-NAVAS VICENTE, FERRER ESPERANZAS, SANZ JUANJOSÉ. Plumage yellowness predicts foraging ability in the blue tit Cyanistes caeruleus. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2012. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1095-8312.2012.01865.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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14
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DUGAS MATTHEWB. Cross-fostering reveals that among-brood differences in ornamental mouth coloration mostly reflect rearing conditions in nestling house sparrows. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2012. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1095-8312.2011.01852.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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15
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Horváthová T, Nakagawa S, Uller T. Strategic female reproductive investment in response to male attractiveness in birds. Proc Biol Sci 2011; 279:163-70. [PMID: 21632630 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2011.0663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Life-history theory predicts that individuals should adjust their reproductive effort according to the expected fitness returns on investment. Because sexually selected male traits should provide honest information about male genetic or phenotypic quality, females may invest more when paired with attractive males. However, there is substantial disagreement in the literature whether such differential allocation is a general pattern. Using a comparative meta-regression approach, we show that female birds generally invest more into reproduction when paired with attractive males, both in terms of egg size and number as well as food provisioning. However, whereas females of species with bi-parental care tend to primarily increase the number of eggs when paired with attractive males, females of species with female-only care produce larger, but not more, eggs. These patterns may reflect adaptive differences in female allocation strategies arising from variation in the signal content of sexually selected male traits between systems of parental care. In contrast to reproductive effort, female allocation of immune-stimulants, anti-oxidants and androgens to the egg yolk was not consistently increased when mated to attractive males, which probably reflects the context-dependent costs and benefits of those yolk compounds to females and offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Terézia Horváthová
- Department of Zoology, Edward Grey Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3PS, UK
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16
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Saino N, Caprioli M, Romano M, Boncoraglio G, Rubolini D, Ambrosini R, Bonisoli-Alquati A, Romano A. Antioxidant defenses predict long-term survival in a passerine bird. PLoS One 2011; 6:e19593. [PMID: 21573124 PMCID: PMC3089629 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0019593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2011] [Accepted: 04/01/2011] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Normal and pathological processes entail the production of oxidative substances that can damage biological molecules and harm physiological functions. Organisms have evolved complex mechanisms of antioxidant defense, and any imbalance between oxidative challenge and antioxidant protection can depress fitness components and accelerate senescence. While the role of oxidative stress in pathogenesis and aging has been studied intensively in humans and model animal species under laboratory conditions, there is a dearth of knowledge on its role in shaping life-histories of animals under natural selection regimes. Yet, given the pervasive nature and likely fitness consequences of oxidative damage, it can be expected that the need to secure efficient antioxidant protection is powerful in molding the evolutionary ecology of animals. Here, we test whether overall antioxidant defense varies with age and predicts long-term survival, using a wild population of a migratory passerine bird, the barn swallow (Hirundo rustica), as a model. Methodology/Principal Findings Plasma antioxidant capacity (AOC) of breeding individuals was measured using standard protocols and annual survival was monitored over five years (2006–2010) on a large sample of selection episodes. AOC did not covary with age in longitudinal analyses after discounting the effect of selection. AOC positively predicted annual survival independently of sex. Individuals were highly consistent in their relative levels of AOC, implying the existence of additive genetic variance and/or environmental (including early maternal) components consistently acting through their lives. Conclusions Using longitudinal data we showed that high levels of antioxidant protection positively predict long-term survival in a wild animal population. Present results are therefore novel in disclosing a role for antioxidant protection in determining survival under natural conditions, strongly demanding for more longitudinal eco-physiological studies of life-histories in relation to oxidative stress in wild populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Saino
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy.
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17
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Saino N, Romano M, Caprioli M, Rubolini D, Ambrosini R. Yolk carotenoids have sex-dependent effects on redox status and influence the resolution of growth trade-offs in yellow-legged gull chicks. Behav Ecol 2011. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arq220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
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The carotenoid conundrum: improved nutrition boosts plasma carotenoid levels but not immune benefits of carotenoid supplementation. Oecologia 2011; 166:35-43. [PMID: 21301878 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-011-1921-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2010] [Accepted: 01/12/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Carotenoids are widely heralded as central to honest signaling due to their dual roles as pigments and antioxidants/immunostimulants. The aim of this study is to test if diet quality and carotenoids alone or in an interaction influence condition, carotenoid availability in plasma and immune responsiveness. Therefore, a diet experiment during the moult of great tits, Parus major, was performed. In a two-way design, we manipulated general quality (digestibility, protein and vitamin content) as well as carotenoid (lutein) content of semi-synthetic diets. Higher quality diet improved individual condition since birds had greater body mass, and to a lesser extent, higher hematocrit. In addition to the expected positive effect of carotenoid supplementation and individual lutein consumption on circulating lutein, there was a positive effect of enhanced diet quality on plasma carotenoid levels. Carotenoid supplementation, but not diet quality, improved the local inflammatory response and maintenance of body mass during a humoral immune reaction. The enhancement of circulating carotenoid levels by improved general quality of the diet or individual condition could provide a testable, mechanistic explanation for the variation in effects of carotenoid supplementation studies.
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Remeš V. Yolk androgens in great tit eggs are related to male attractiveness, breeding density and territory quality. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2011. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-011-1139-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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20
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Affiliation(s)
- Miloš Krist
- Museum of Natural History, nám. Republiky 5, 771 73 Olomouc, Czech Republic.
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21
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Biard C, Gil D, Karadaş F, Saino N, Spottiswoode CN, Surai PF, Møller AP. Maternal effects mediated by antioxidants and the evolution of carotenoid-based signals in birds. Am Nat 2009; 174:696-708. [PMID: 19780651 DOI: 10.1086/606021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Bright yellow to red signals used in mate choice or intrasexual competition are based on carotenoid pigments that are hypothesized to be traded between physiological functions and coloration. These signals have recently been shown to be influenced by maternal effects. Indeed, yolk-derived carotenoids are essential for embryos to develop efficient carotenoid metabolism in posthatching life. Maternal effects facilitate adaptation to environmental variability and influence the evolution of phenotypic traits such as secondary sexual signals. Here we propose that maternal investment in yolk carotenoids promotes the evolution of carotenoid-based ornaments. We conducted a comparative analysis of lipid-soluble antioxidants (carotenoids and vitamins A and E) in the eggs of 112 species of bird. Species with large clutch sizes deposited higher yolk concentrations of the three antioxidants. There was a significant positive relationship between yolk carotenoids and the expression of male carotenoid-based signals, but not between yolk carotenoids and sexual dichromatism in these signals. These relationships were specific to carotenoids, as they were not found for vitamins A and E. This provides evidence consistent with the hypothesis that maternal effects mediated by yolk carotenoids play a role in the evolution of carotenoid-based signals as a response to sexual selection, likely based on organizational effects of carotenoids during embryo development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clotilde Biard
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) Unité Mixte de Recherche (UMR) 7103, Laboratoire de Parasitologie Evolutive, Université Pierre et Marie Curie-Paris 6, 7 quai Saint Bernard, F-75252 Paris, France.
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ISAKSSON CAROLINE, ORNBORG JONAS, PRAGER MARIA, ANDERSSON STAFFAN. Sex and age differences in reflectance and biochemistry of carotenoid-based colour variation in the great tit Parus major. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2008. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1095-8312.2008.01033.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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23
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Saino N, Bertacche V, Bonisoli‐Alquati A, Romano M, Rubolini D. Phenotypic Correlates of Yolk and Plasma Carotenoid Concentration in Yellow‐Legged Gull Chicks. Physiol Biochem Zool 2008; 81:211-25. [DOI: 10.1086/527454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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24
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Isaksson C, Andersson S. Oxidative stress does not influence carotenoid mobilization and plumage pigmentation. Proc Biol Sci 2008; 275:309-14. [PMID: 18029305 PMCID: PMC2593728 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2007.1474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2007] [Revised: 10/31/2007] [Accepted: 11/01/2007] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxidative stress has been suggested to create a link between 'good genes' and carotenoid coloration via an allocation conflict between external pigmentation and internal antioxidant functions. However, although carotenoid displays have been extensively investigated, there are no experimental tests of the antioxidant efficiency of carotenoids in vivo. We induced oxidative stress in a small passerine (the great tit, Parus major) under both carotenoid deprivation and supplementation, and investigated the effect on carotenoid mobilization (i.e. plasma) and allocation (i.e. deposition in feather incorporation and liver storage). We found no effects of the stressor on either mobilization or allocation of carotenoids. These results reject the previously suggested superior role of carotenoid's function as antioxidant in vivo with important implications for signal content and honesty.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Isaksson
- Department of Zoology, Göteborg University, Medicinaregatan 18, 413 90 Göteborg, Sweden.
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Isaksson C, Johansson A, Andersson S. Egg Yolk Carotenoids in Relation to Habitat and Reproductive Investment in the Great TitParus major. Physiol Biochem Zool 2008; 81:112-8. [DOI: 10.1086/522650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/25/2007] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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ISAKSSON CAROLINE, McLAUGHLIN PATRICIA, MONAGHAN PAT, ANDERSSON STAFFAN. Carotenoid pigmentation does not reflect total non-enzymatic antioxidant activity in plasma of adult and nestling great tits, Parus major. Funct Ecol 2007. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2435.2007.01317.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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