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Nagy J, Hauber ME, Löki V, Mainwaring MC. Plumage and eggshell colouration covary with the level of sex-specific parental contributions to nest building in birds. THE SCIENCE OF NATURE - NATURWISSENSCHAFTEN 2024; 111:12. [PMID: 38411714 PMCID: PMC10899274 DOI: 10.1007/s00114-024-01899-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Interspecific variation in sex-specific contributions to prenatal parental care, including avian nest building, is becoming increasingly better understood as we amass more information on more species. We examined whether sex-specific nest building contributions covary with the colouration of parents and their eggs in 521 species of Western Palearctic birds. Having colourful plumage and laying colourful eggs are costly because of the deposition of pigments in feathers and eggs and/or forming costly nanostructural substrates in feathers, and so it might be expected that those costs covary with the costs of nest building at the level of individuals and/or across species to produce of a suite of codivergent traits. Using a phylogenetically informed approach, we tested the hypothesis that species in which females alone invest energy building nests exhibit less sexual plumage dichromatism. However, we found comparative support for the opposite of this prediction. We then tested that species in which females alone build nests lay more colourful, and costlier, eggs because the dual costs of building nests and laying colourful eggs can only be borne by higher quality individuals. As expected, we found that species in which females build nests alone or together with males are more likely to lay colourfully pigmented eggs relative to species in which only males build nests. Finally, stochastic character mapping provided evidence of the repeated evolution of female-only nest building. Interspecific sex differences in plumage colouration therefore covary in a complex manner with female pre- (nest building) and post-copulatory (egg production) investment in reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenő Nagy
- HUN-REN-UD Conservation Biology Research Group, Department of Botany, University of Debrecen, Egyetem tér 1., H-4032, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Mark E Hauber
- Advanced Science Research Center and Program in Psychology, Graduate Center of the City University of New York, New York, NY, 10031, USA
| | - Viktor Löki
- Wetland Ecology Research Group, HUN-REN Centre for Ecological Research, Institute of Aquatic Ecology, Bem tér 18/C, H-4026, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Mark C Mainwaring
- School of Environmental and Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, LL57 2DG, UK.
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Xu W, Mu R, Gegen T, Luo J, Xiao Y, Ou S, Wu Q, Zuo Y, Chen Z, Li F. Comparative analysis of hepatic transcriptomes and metabolomes of Changshun green-shell laying hens based on different green eggshell color intensities. Poult Sci 2024; 103:103220. [PMID: 37980748 PMCID: PMC10685025 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2023.103220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The eggshell color of avian species is an important trait that is predominantly determined by the pigments biliverdin and protoporphyrin. Various factors affect eggshell pigment deposition and coloration; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We analyzed the hepatic transcriptomes and metabolomes of Changshun green-shell hens laying dark green and light green eggs to investigate the potential role of the liver in regulating the intensity of the green eggshell color. In total, 350 differentially expressed genes and 211 differentially altered metabolites were identified. Gene set enrichment analysis revealed that the enriched pathways and Gene Ontology (GO) terms were mainly associated with energy, immunity, and nutrient metabolism. Metabolite set enrichment analysis revealed that the enriched pathways were mainly associated with amino acid, vitamin, bile acid, and lipid metabolism. Moreover, gene-metabolite interaction network analysis revealed 1 subnetwork. Most genes and metabolites in this subnetwork were determined to be related to melanin metabolism and transport. In conclusion, our results suggest that hepatic melanin metabolism and transport are critical for eggshell coloration. Six candidate genes (CDKN2B, DDC, PYCR1, ABCG5, SLC3A1, and P2RX2) and 7 candidate metabolites (serotonin, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, ornithine, acetylcholine, L-tryptophan, D-ornithine, and ADP) were suggested to play important roles in this process. Meanwhile, this study suggests that changes in hepatic energy metabolism, immune status, antioxidation activity, nutrient availability, and bile acid synthesis can impair eggshell coloration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenbin Xu
- College of Biological Science and Agriculture, Qiannan Normal University for Nationalities, Duyun 558000, China; Qiannan Key Laboratory of Applied Biotechnology for Livestock and Poultry, Duyun 558000, China; College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Ren Mu
- College of Biological Science and Agriculture, Qiannan Normal University for Nationalities, Duyun 558000, China; Qiannan Key Laboratory of Applied Biotechnology for Livestock and Poultry, Duyun 558000, China.
| | - Tuya Gegen
- Qiannan Key Laboratory of Applied Biotechnology for Livestock and Poultry, Duyun 558000, China; Library, Qiannan Normal University for Nationalities, Duyun 558000, China
| | - Jiaxiang Luo
- College of Biological Science and Agriculture, Qiannan Normal University for Nationalities, Duyun 558000, China
| | - Yang Xiao
- College of Biological Science and Agriculture, Qiannan Normal University for Nationalities, Duyun 558000, China
| | - Shunnian Ou
- College of Biological Science and Agriculture, Qiannan Normal University for Nationalities, Duyun 558000, China
| | - Qi Wu
- College of Biological Science and Agriculture, Qiannan Normal University for Nationalities, Duyun 558000, China; Qiannan Key Laboratory of Applied Biotechnology for Livestock and Poultry, Duyun 558000, China
| | - Yongsong Zuo
- College of Biological Science and Agriculture, Qiannan Normal University for Nationalities, Duyun 558000, China; Qiannan Key Laboratory of Applied Biotechnology for Livestock and Poultry, Duyun 558000, China
| | - Zhi Chen
- College of Biological Science and Agriculture, Qiannan Normal University for Nationalities, Duyun 558000, China; Qiannan Key Laboratory of Applied Biotechnology for Livestock and Poultry, Duyun 558000, China
| | - Fangwei Li
- Guizhou Changshun Tiannong Green Shell Laying Hen Industrial Co. Ltd., Chang Shun 550700, China
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Ren J, Yang Q, Tang Q, Liu R, Hu J, Li L, Bai L, Liu H. Metabonomics reveals the main small molecules differences between green and white egg shells in ducks. ITALIAN JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/1828051x.2021.2024096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jia Ren
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Qinglan Yang
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Qian Tang
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ruixin Liu
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jiwei Hu
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Liang Li
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Lili Bai
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Hehe Liu
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
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Molina-Morales M, Gómez J, Liñán-Cembrano G, Precioso M, Martínez JG, Avilés JM. The Role of Intra-Clutch Variation of Magpie Clutches in Foreign Egg Rejection Depends on the Egg Trait Considered. Front Ecol Evol 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2021.702637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The existence of a coevolutionary process between avian brood parasites and their hosts predicts a lower intra-clutch variation in egg appearance of host eggs among rejecters as this would favor egg discrimination of parasite eggs by hosts once parasitic egg mimicry had evolved. So far empirical tests of this prediction have ignored the fact that different aspects of host egg phenotypes may differ in the relative role of environmental vs. genetic determination, and hence that the role of intra-clutch variation in egg rejection within a population cannot be invariant. Here, we estimated whether the intra-clutch variation in several aspects of host eggshell features is consistently associated to rejection of parasitic foreign eggs across years in a magpie host population parasitized by great spotted cuckoos. We innovatively estimated spottiness by means of the fractal dimension of eggs, which considers the homogeneity of spot pattern complexity in eggshells. Our results show that low intra-clutch variation in the blue-green coloration at the middle area of the eggs associated with a high chance of rejection, but only in one of the 3 years we conducted the study. In addition, females that rejected foreign eggs presented more homogenous spot patterns in their clutches as estimated by their fractal dimension than females that accepted experimental eggs, independently of the year of study. Finally, intra-clutch variation in egg volume of host eggs was not associated to rejection. Analyses at the individual level revealed that the relative role of genetic vs. environmental factors that determine egg phenotype would be feature-specific in magpies, females having a characteristic spottiness, but not color or volume, pattern. Our work stresses the importance of considering a holistic approach including several aspects of variation in host egg phenotype (size, color, and homogeneity of spot pattern), as some aspects might be more susceptible to selection through egg rejection than others, presumably because they are less influenced by variation in the environmental conditions. Moreover, our study highlights the importance of replication in studies on the adaptive value of host traits in egg rejection.
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Prenatal manipulation of yolk androgen levels affects egg size but not egg colour in a songbird. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-021-02991-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Morales J. Eggshell Biliverdin as an Antioxidant Maternal Effect. Bioessays 2020; 42:e2000010. [DOI: 10.1002/bies.202000010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2020] [Revised: 03/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Judith Morales
- National Museum of Natural SciencesSpanish National Research Council (CSIC) c/ José Gutiérrez Abascal 2 Madrid 28006 Spain
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Hodges KE, Mortimer NT, Vrailas-Mortimer AD, Sakaluk SK, Thompson CF. Connecting the dots: avian eggshell pigmentation, female condition and paternal provisioning effort. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2020; 130:114-127. [PMID: 32394988 DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/blaa002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Revised: 01/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Differences in avian eggshell pigmentation could be an honest signal of female quality that males use to inform their nestling provisioning effort. We investigated whether among-individual variation in protoporphyrin-based eggshell pigmentation in house wrens (Troglodytes aedon) reflects female fitness-associated traits and whether males use that information. Females laying lighter clutches were older and larger than females laying darker clutches. Nestlings hatching from lighter clutches had greater size-corrected mass on post-hatch day 11, a measure that strongly predicts survival and recruitment to the breeding population. To test whether male provisioning effort responds to clutch pigmentation, we used a reciprocal clutch cross-fostering design, swapping dark with light clutches and light with dark; in controls, we swapped light with light clutches and dark with dark. Shortly before hatching, clutches were returned to their original nest to avoid confounding effects of nestling quality on male provisioning. Contrary to the sexual selection hypothesis, clutch pigmentation had no effect on male provisioning. Males were probably able to observe eggshell pigmentation and thus had information about female quality, but they did not use this information to modulate their nestling provisioning. This may be because of constraints on species-specific reproductive opportunities, or because variation in eggshell protoporphyrin serves other functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kara E Hodges
- School of Biological Sciences, Illinois State University,Normal,IL,USA
| | - Nathan T Mortimer
- School of Biological Sciences, Illinois State University,Normal,IL,USA
| | | | - Scott K Sakaluk
- School of Biological Sciences, Illinois State University,Normal,IL,USA
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Morosinotto C, Thomson RL, Korpimäki E, Mateo R, Ruuskanen S. Maternal food supplementation and perceived predation risk modify egg composition and eggshell traits but not offspring condition. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 222:jeb.201954. [PMID: 31548290 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.201954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2019] [Accepted: 09/16/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Mothers may vary resource allocation to eggs and embryos, which may affect offspring fitness and prepare them for future environmental conditions. The effects of food availability and predation risk on reproduction have been extensively studied, yet their simultaneous impacts on reproductive investment and offspring early life conditions are still unclear. We experimentally manipulated these key environmental elements using a 2×2 full factorial design in wild, free-living pied flycatchers (Ficedula hypoleuca), and measured egg composition, eggshell traits and offspring condition. Eggs laid in food-supplemented nests had larger yolks and thicker shells independently of predation risk, while eggs laid in nests exposed to predator cues had lower levels of immunoglobulins, independent of food supplementation. In nests without predator cues, shell biliverdin content was higher in eggs laid in food-supplemented nests. Incubation was 1 day shorter in food-supplemented nests and shorter incubation periods were associated with higher hatching success, but there were no direct effects of maternal treatment on hatching success. To investigate the impact of maternal treatment (via egg composition) on the offspring, we performed full brood cross-fostering after hatching to unmanipulated nests. Maternal treatment did not significantly affect body mass and immunoglobulin levels of offspring. Our results suggest that although prenatal maternal cues affected egg composition, these egg-mediated effects may not have detectable consequences for offspring growth or immune capacity. Unpredictable environmental stressors may thus affect parental investment in the eggs, but parental care may level off costs and benefits of differential maternal egg allocation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Morosinotto
- Novia University of Applied Sciences, Bioeconomy Research Team, Raseborgsvägen 9, Ekenäs, 10600, Finland .,Department of Biology, Section of Ecology, University of Turku, Turku 20014, Finland
| | - Robert L Thomson
- Department of Biology, Section of Ecology, University of Turku, Turku 20014, Finland.,FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, DST-NRF Centre of Excellence, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa
| | - Erkki Korpimäki
- Department of Biology, Section of Ecology, University of Turku, Turku 20014, Finland
| | - Rafael Mateo
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC), CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, 13005 Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Suvi Ruuskanen
- Department of Biology, Section of Ecology, University of Turku, Turku 20014, Finland
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Sampaio DMDR, Estrela FN, Mendes BDO, Estrela DDC, Montalvão MF, Mesak C, Silva FG, Araújo APDC, de Freitas CS, Gontijo BV, Rodrigues ASDL, Malafaia G. Ingestion of tannery effluent as a risk factor to the health of birds: A toxicological study using Coturnix coturnix japonica as a model system. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 681:275-291. [PMID: 31103665 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.05.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2019] [Revised: 05/01/2019] [Accepted: 05/04/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Tannery industries generate large amounts of tannery effluents (TE), which have been considered highly toxic to various groups of animals. However, the identification and characterization of the impact of this mix of pollutants on birds is still highly incipient. So, our goal was to evaluate the possible biological changes of Coturnix coturnix japonica, exposed for 45 days, to different dilutions of TE (1.4%, 3.1% and 6.5%), using behavioural biomarkers, mutagenics and egg production. When submitted to the behavioural tests, quails that ingested TE presented behaviour compatible with an anxiolytic effect in the open field test; absence of emotional reactivity in the object recognition test; reduced rates of predation of Tenebrio molitor larvae (potential prey); as well as an anti-predatory defensive response deficit when confronted, especially with Felis catus males (potential predator). In addition, we observed increased biomass of the liver, increased feed conversion index and lower feed efficiency index; mutagenic effect of TE (inferred by the increase of nuclear erythrocyte abnormalities); reduced productive performance and egg quality, in addition to different staining patterns of the eggs produced by quails from the control group. Therefore, our study confirms the toxicity of TE in C. coturnix japonica, even in small dilutions. While behavioural changes demonstrate the neurotoxic potential of the pollutant, the other alterations suggest that the mechanisms of action of its chemical constituents are not selective, that is, they act systemically, acting synergistic, antagonistic or additively, causing harmful effects in animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas Marcel Dos Reis Sampaio
- Post-graduation Program in Cerrado Natural Resource Conservation and Biological Research Laboratory, Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia Goiano - Urutaí Campus, GO, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Neves Estrela
- Post-graduation Program in Cerrado Natural Resource Conservation and Biological Research Laboratory, Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia Goiano - Urutaí Campus, GO, Brazil
| | - Bruna de Oliveira Mendes
- Post-graduation Program in Cerrado Natural Resource Conservation and Biological Research Laboratory, Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia Goiano - Urutaí Campus, GO, Brazil
| | - Dieferson da Costa Estrela
- Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia Sul-rio-grandense - Jaguarão Campus, Rio Grande do Sul, RS, Brazil
| | - Mateus Flores Montalvão
- Post-graduation Program in Cerrado Natural Resource Conservation and Biological Research Laboratory, Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia Goiano - Urutaí Campus, GO, Brazil
| | - Carlos Mesak
- Post-graduation Program in Cerrado Natural Resource Conservation and Biological Research Laboratory, Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia Goiano - Urutaí Campus, GO, Brazil
| | | | - Amanda Pereira da Costa Araújo
- Post-graduation Program in Cerrado Natural Resource Conservation and Biological Research Laboratory, Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia Goiano - Urutaí Campus, GO, Brazil
| | - Carla Santos de Freitas
- Post-graduation Program in Chemistry, Universidade Federal de Goiás - Samambaia Campus, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
| | - Boniek Vaz Gontijo
- Post-graduation Program in Chemistry, Universidade Federal de Goiás - Samambaia Campus, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
| | - Aline Sueli de Lima Rodrigues
- Post-graduation Program in Cerrado Natural Resource Conservation and Biological Research Laboratory, Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia Goiano - Urutaí Campus, GO, Brazil
| | - Guilherme Malafaia
- Post-graduation Program in Cerrado Natural Resource Conservation and Biological Research Laboratory, Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia Goiano - Urutaí Campus, GO, Brazil.
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Hargitai R, Boross N, Hámori S, Neuberger E, Nyiri Z. Eggshell Biliverdin and Protoporphyrin Pigments in a Songbird: Are They Derived from Erythrocytes, Blood Plasma, or the Shell Gland? Physiol Biochem Zool 2017; 90:613-626. [DOI: 10.1086/694297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Williams ST, Lockyer AE, Dyal P, Nakano T, Churchill CKC, Speiser DI. Colorful seashells: Identification of haem pathway genes associated with the synthesis of porphyrin shell color in marine snails. Ecol Evol 2017; 7:10379-10397. [PMID: 29238562 PMCID: PMC5723588 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.3552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2017] [Revised: 09/19/2017] [Accepted: 09/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Very little is known about the evolution of molluskan shell pigments, although Mollusca is a highly diverse, species rich, and ecologically important group of animals comprised of many brightly colored taxa. The marine snail genus Clanculus was chosen as an exceptional model for studying the evolution of shell color, first, because in Clanculus margaritarius and Clanculus pharaonius both shell and foot share similar colors and patterns; and second, because recent studies have identified the pigments, trochopuniceus (pink‐red), and trochoxouthos (yellow‐brown), both comprised of uroporphyrin I and uroporphyrin III, in both shell and colored foot tissue of these species. These unusual characteristics provide a rare opportunity to identify the genes involved in color production because, as the same pigments occur in the shell and colored foot tissue, the same color‐related genes may be simultaneously expressed in both mantle (which produces the shell) and foot tissue. In this study, the transcriptomes of these two Clanculus species along with a third species, Calliostoma zizyphinum, were sequenced to identify genes associated with the synthesis of porphyrins. Calliostoma zizyphinum was selected as a negative control as trochopuniceus and trochoxouthos were not found to occur in this species. As expected, genes necessary for the production of uroporphyrin I and III were found in all three species, but gene expression levels were consistent with synthesis of uroporphyrins in mantle and colored foot tissue only in Clanculus. These results are relevant not only to understanding the evolution of shell pigmentation in Clanculus but also to understanding the evolution of color in other species with uroporphyrin pigmentation, including (mainly marine) mollusks soft tissues and shells, annelid and platyhelminth worms, and some bird feathers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anne E Lockyer
- Institute of Environment, Health and Societies Brunel University London Uxbridge UK
| | - Patricia Dyal
- Core Research Laboratories Natural History Museum London UK
| | - Tomoyuki Nakano
- Seto Marine Biological Laboratory Kyoto University Nishimuro Wakayama Prefecture Japan
| | | | - Daniel I Speiser
- Department of Biological Sciences University of South Carolina Columbia SC USA
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Clark W, Leclercq E, Migaud H, Nairn J, Davie A. Isolation, identification and characterisation of ballan wrasse Labrus bergylta plasma pigment. JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY 2016; 89:2070-2084. [PMID: 27501866 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.13106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2015] [Accepted: 07/05/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
This study confirmed that observations of blue-green colouration in plasma fractions of the ballan wrasse Labrus bergylta were caused by the linear tetra-pyrrole biliverdin and that the molecule was of the physiologically relevant IXα isomer. Accumulation appears driven by chromogenic association with an unknown protein moiety which precludes enzymatic reduction and would suggest active management. It was demonstrated that the pigment did not fluctuate relative to ontogeny, or indeed binary gender in the species of interest, but mobilisation and depletion in the subset of individuals undergoing sex change at the time of study supports a potential association with gender inversion processes. It is of note that although biliverdin does have some effect on external colouration, the evidence is indicative that crypsis is a supplementary function thus other factors must be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Clark
- Institute of Aquaculture, University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA, Scotland, U.K
| | - E Leclercq
- Institute of Aquaculture, University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA, Scotland, U.K
| | - H Migaud
- Institute of Aquaculture, University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA, Scotland, U.K
| | - J Nairn
- School of Biology, University of St Andrews, St Andrews, Fife, KY16 9TS, Scotland, U.K
| | - A Davie
- Institute of Aquaculture, University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA, Scotland, U.K..
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Hargitai R, Boross N, Nyiri Z, Eke Z. Biliverdin- and protoporphyrin-based eggshell pigmentation in relation to antioxidant supplementation, female characteristics and egg traits in the canary (Serinus canaria). Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-016-2214-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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14
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Williams ST. Molluscan shell colour. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2016; 92:1039-1058. [DOI: 10.1111/brv.12268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2015] [Revised: 02/25/2016] [Accepted: 02/26/2016] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
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Dehnhard N, Pinxten R, Demongin L, Van Camp J, Eens M, Poisbleau M. Relationships between female quality, egg mass and eggshell blue-green colouration in southern rockhopper penguins: a test of the sexual signalling hypothesis. Polar Biol 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/s00300-015-1742-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Abstract
Although egg color is generally consistent within individual birds and robust to environmental variation, recent evidence suggests a degree of susceptibility to environmental perturbation or modulation of egg color. Most of this variation manifests via the physiology of the laying female, but some direct impacts of the environment on laid eggs have also been discovered. Here we test whether light changes bird egg color and we quantify its effect, by subjecting variable blue-green eggs of Rüppell's weaver (Ploceus galbula) to a broad-spectrum light source under laboratory conditions, and measuring egg reflectance every few hours. Eggshells gradually decreased in reflectance across the entire measured wavelength spectrum of 250-800 nm. Reflectance peaks were disproportionately affected, such that the height decreased of both the blue-green peak and the smaller UV peak typical of blue-green eggs. The reflectance of lighter eggs was affected slightly more than that of darker eggs. These changes are similar to previous results for changes over long periods of time in darkness, suggesting that light might hasten the same process of pigment degradation that proceeds even without light. Comparison between the experimental light source and both sunlight and typical artificial lighting situations raises the possibility that significant color change might occur during incubation in some birds, but indicates that eggshell illumination in museums for short periods of study is unlikely to affect their color to a detectable extent. Additional research should be performed on eggs of other species and in other light environments, with an eye to an eventual generalized model of the effect of light on eggshell color.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Y. Navarro
- Department of Biology, Queens College, City University of New York, Flushing, New York, United States of America
| | - David C. Lahti
- Department of Biology, Queens College, City University of New York, Flushing, New York, United States of America
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Age-dependent effects of carotenoids on sexual ornaments and reproductive performance of a long-lived seabird. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2013. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-013-1628-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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Butler MW, McGraw KJ. Eggshell coloration reflects both yolk characteristics and dietary carotenoid history of female mallards. Funct Ecol 2013. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.12123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Michael W. Butler
- School of Life Sciences; Arizona State University; PO Box 874601; Tempe; Arizona; 85287-4601; USA
| | - Kevin J. McGraw
- School of Life Sciences; Arizona State University; PO Box 874601; Tempe; Arizona; 85287-4601; USA
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Butler MW, McGraw KJ. Immune function is related to adult carotenoid and bile pigment levels, but not dietary carotenoid access during development, in female mallard ducks. J Exp Biol 2013; 216:2632-40. [DOI: 10.1242/jeb.082982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Summary
Immune function can be modulated by multiple physiological factors, including nutrition and reproductive state. Because these factors can vary throughout an individual’s lifetime due to environmental conditions (e.g. nutrition) or life-history stage (e.g. adult reproduction), we must carefully examine the degree to which developmental versus adult conditions shape performance of the immune system. We investigated how variation in dietary access to carotenoid pigments – a class of molecules with immunostimulatory properties that females deposit into egg yolks – during three different developmental time points affected adult immunological and reproductive traits in female mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos). In males and females of other avian species, carotenoid access during development affects carotenoid assimilation ability, adult sexual ornamentation, and immune function, while carotenoid access at adulthood can increase immune response and reproductive investment (e.g. egg-laying capacity, biliverdin deposition in eggshells). We failed to find effects of developmental carotenoid supplementation on adult immune function (phytohemagglutinin-induced cutaneous immune response, antibody production in response to the novel antigen keyhole limpet hemocyanin [KLH], or oxidative burst, assessed by change in circulating nitric oxide levels), carotenoid-pigmented beak coloration, ovarian development, circulating carotenoid levels, or concentration of bile pigments in the gall bladder. However, we did uncover positive relationships between circulating carotenoid levels at adulthood and KLH-specific antibody production, and a negative relationship between biliverdin concentration in bile and KLH-specific antibody production. These results are consistent with the view that adult physiological parameters better predict current immune function than do developmental conditions and highlight a possible, previously unstudied relationship between biliverdin and immune system performance.
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Hanley D, Doucet SM. Does environmental contamination influence egg coloration? A long-term study in herring gulls. J Appl Ecol 2012. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2664.2012.02184.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Stéphanie M. Doucet
- Department of Biological Sciences; University of Windsor; 401 Sunset Avenue; Windsor; ON; N9B 3P4; Canada
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Dearborn DC, Hanley D, Ballantine K, Cullum J, Reeder DM. Eggshell colour is more strongly affected by maternal identity than by dietary antioxidants in a captive poultry system. Funct Ecol 2012. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2435.2012.02001.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Daniel Hanley
- Department of Biology and Program in Animal Behaviour; Bucknell University; Lewisburg; Pennsylvania; 17837; USA
| | - Katherine Ballantine
- Department of Biology and Program in Animal Behaviour; Bucknell University; Lewisburg; Pennsylvania; 17837; USA
| | - John Cullum
- Department of Biology and Program in Animal Behaviour; Bucknell University; Lewisburg; Pennsylvania; 17837; USA
| | - DeeAnn M. Reeder
- Department of Biology and Program in Animal Behaviour; Bucknell University; Lewisburg; Pennsylvania; 17837; USA
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CASSEY PHILLIP, THOMAS GAVINH, PORTUGAL STEVENJ, MAURER GOLO, HAUBER MARKE, GRIM TOMÁŠ, LOVELL PGEORGE, MIKŠÍK IVAN. Why are birds' eggs colourful? Eggshell pigments co-vary with life-history and nesting ecology among British breeding non-passerine birds. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2012. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1095-8312.2012.01877.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Duval C, Cassey P, Mikšík I, Reynolds J, Spencer K. Condition-dependent strategies of eggshell pigmentation: an experimental study of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica). J Exp Biol 2012; 216:700-8. [DOI: 10.1242/jeb.077370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Summary
A relationship has been suggested between eggshell colour and female body condition based on the opposing antioxidant properties of the two main eggshell pigments: the antioxidant biliverdin (blue-green) and the pro-oxidant protoporphyrin (brown). We hypothesised that experimentally food-restricted females with low antioxidant capacity would deposit more protoporphyrin and less biliverdin in their eggshells, resulting in eggshells of reduced brightness but increased colour intensity. Two eggs were collected at the beginning and two at the end of a 2-week period from each of 24 female Japanese quails that were either food-restricted or receiving ad libitum food (i.e. controls) during that time. Reflectance spectra were recorded and analysed using spectral shape descriptors, chromatic and achromatic contrasts were computed accounting for avian visual sensitivities, and eggshell pigments were quantified. We examined both spot and background pigmentation and found no significant effect of food restriction on eggshell reflectance. However, food-restricted females in lower body condition increased the deposition of protoporphyrin and decreased the amount of biliverdin invested into their eggshells. We hypothesise that in species laying brown-spotted eggshells, females modulate eggshell pigment investment in response to their body condition. According to this hypothesis, we predict that females maintain eggshell colour to limit visible changes that could be detected by predators and thereby conceal their eggs, although this work has yet to be conducted. We suggest that further experimental work on egg camouflage under different environmental conditions will elaborate the process of pigment deposition and the physiological costs to females of laying heavily pigmented eggshells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ivan Mikšík
- Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic
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Morales J, Torres R, Velando A. Safe betting: males help dull females only when they raise high-quality offspring. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2011. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-011-1261-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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